Pd2Mo3N: A new molybdenum bimetallic interstitial nitride

The molybdenum bimetallic nitride Pd2Mo3N has been synthesized by ammonolysis of the stoichiometric mixture of low sized pure oxide crystallites (2PdO/3MoO(3)) as resulting from low temperature thermal decomposition of precursor powders obtained by freeze-drying of aqueous solutions of the appropriate metal salts. This Compound has been characterized by elemental analysis, energy dispersive analysis of X-rays, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (field emision) and thermogravimetry under oxygen atmosphere. Pd2Mo3N crystallizes in the cubic space group P4(1)32 (no. 213) (Pd2Mo3N, a=6.81770(3) Angstrom, Z=4), and presents the unusual filled beta -manganese structure. It is stable under oxygen atmosphere up to 550 K, the oxidation of the bulk reverting to the oxide mixture being complete at 850 K.