Question

Nitrolim is a mixture of:
A. \[\text{Ca}{{\text{C}}_{\text{2}}}\text{ and graphite}\]
B. \[\text{CaC}{{\text{N}}_{\text{2}}}\text{ and graphite}\]
C. \[\text{Ca(CN}{{\text{)}}_{\text{2}}}\text{ and graphite}\]
D. \[\text{CaC}{{\text{N}}_{\text{2}}}\text{ + }{{\text{N}}_{\text{2}}}\]

Answer 1

Hint: The compound given in the question has a very important agricultural use. It is a source of nitrogen for the soil.

Complete step by step answer:
Nitrolim is a chemical compound which is also known as calcium cyanamide. But commercially, it is known as lime nitrogen. The word nitrolim is an alteration of the term nitrolime. The chemical formula of calcium cyanamide is \[CaC{{N}_{2}}\].
Production of Calcium Cyanamide –
It was first synthesized by Adolph Frank and Nikodem Caro (reaction known as - Frank-Caro process) in 1898.
When we pass Nitrogen over calcium carbide at a suitable high temperature (around \[1000{}^\circ -1100{}^\circ C\]), we get a mixture called nitrolim which is a mixture of calcium cyanamide and carbon. The reaction is given as –
\[Ca{{C}_{2}}+{{N}_{2}}\to CaC{{N}_{2}}+C\]
Nitrolim is also used to produce sodium cyanide by fusing with sodium carbonate. The reaction is given below –
\[CaC{{N}_{2}}+N{{a}_{2}}C{{O}_{3}}\text{+ }2C\to 2\text{ }NaCN+CaO+2\text{ }CO\]

Uses of Nitrolim –
The main use of nitrolim is as a fertilizer in agriculture. When nitrolim reacts with water, it decomposes and liberates ammonia. The reaction is as follows –
\[CaC{{N}_{2}}+3{{H}_{2}}O\to 2N{{H}_{3}}+CaC{{O}_{3}}\]
Nitrolim is also used as a wire-fed alloy in steelmaking, for the purpose of introducing nitrogen into the steel.

Therefore, the answer is – option (b) - \[\text{CaC}{{\text{N}}_{\text{2}}}\text{ and graphite}\]

Additional Information: Graphite is a crystalline form of carbon with its atoms arranged in a hexagonal structure. It occurs naturally in this form and it is the most stable form of carbon under standard conditions. Under high pressures and temperatures, it converts to diamond.

Note: Nitrolim has applications such as – nitrogen fertilizers, as a source of melamine (organic chemical).