Azide

An azide is a N3- anion, or a reactive group in organic chemistry where a carbon substituent is attached as RN3. The azido group is the corresponding N3 organic functional group.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The anion's structure is:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

:N-=N+=N-

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

with a net charge of -1. Some azide salts are very explosive when heated or shaken, such as NaN3, which is used in airbags. The azide anion is toxic, inhibiting the function of cytochrome c oxidase by binding irreversibly to the heme cofactor, in a process similar to that of carbon monoxide. Inorganic azide compounds are for instance the explosive lead azide and sodium azide, the active ingredient in airbags.

Airbag: :See also the Radiohead song, Airbag...

Cytochrome c oxidase: The enzyme cytochrome c oxidase (, ) is a large transmembrane protein found in the mitochondrion and is the terminal electron acceptor in the electron transfer chain, taking 4 reducing equivalents from cytochrome c and converting molecular oxygen to water. In the process, it translocates protons, he...

Explosive: REDIRECT Explosive material...