Question

Calcium Cyanamide - CaNCN, which is produced by the Nitrogen fixation reaction of heating $Ca{C}_2$ and $N_2$ is black in colour – True or False?

• A. True
• B. False

Answer 1

The correct option is A True

Let us recall the cyanamide process:
$Ca{C}_2+N_2\to CaC{N}_2+C$
As you can see, there is some carbon produced as the product. This gives CaNCN a black colour. When hydrolyzed in soil, CaNCN yields ammonia. A simple version of the reaction may be understood as
$CaC{N}_2+3H_{2}O\to 2N{H}_3+CaC{O}_3$
In some interpretations, another reaction is also considered:
$CaC{N}_2+4H_{2}O\to$
$Ca(OH{)}_2+C{O}_2+2N{H}_3$