Question

Nitrilium is:
A. $CaCN_{ 2 }$
B. $Ca(CN)_{ 2 }$
C. $CaCN_{ 2 }$ + C
D. $Ca(NO_{ 3 })_{ 2 }$

Answer 1

Hint: Nitrilium has some relation to fertilizers. To answer this question you should recall the structure of nitrilium and you can also use the elimination method if you can identify the structure of other molecules given to you.

Complete step by step answer:

Let’s look at the structures one by one to know about all the compounds given in the options.
Now see options A and C, Nitrilium is a chemical compound that is also known as calcium cyanamide. However, it is known commercially as lime nitrogen. Nitrilium chemical formula is $CaCN_{ 2 }$.
Nitrolium is formed when the nitrogen passes through calcium carbide at an appropriate temperature, i.e. $1000^{ 0 }C to 1100^{ 0 }C$
$CaC_{ 2 }\quad +\quad N_{ 2 }\quad \rightarrow \quad CaCN_{ 2 }\quad +\quad C$
Option B is calcium cyanide, also known as black cyanide, which is an inorganic compound with the formula $Ca(CN)_{ 2 }$.
It is a white solid, although it is rarely observed in pure form. Commercial samples can be black-gray. It is the calcium salt of cyanide. It hydrolyzes readily (even in moist air) to release hydrogen cyanide. Like other similar cyanides, it is very toxic.
Option D is Calcium nitrate, also called Norges Saltpeter (Norwegian saltpeter), which is an inorganic compound with the formula $Ca(NO_{ 3 })_{ 2 }$. This colorless salt absorbs moisture from the air and is commonly found as a tetrahydrate. It is mainly used as a component in fertilizers but has other applications.

Therefore, we can conclude that the correct option for this question is A.

Note: We should also know about some applications of Nitrolium:
This is used as a nitrogen fertilizer in significant quantities.
It is utilized as a source of organic chemicals namely melamine.