Comment on "Synthesis and characterization of the pentazolate anion <i>cyclo</i>-N<sub>5</sub><sup>-</sup> in (N<sub>5</sub>)<sub>6</sub>(H<sub>3</sub>O)<sub>3</sub>(NH<sub>4</sub>)<sub>4</sub>Cl".

Huang, Rong-Yi; Xu, Heng · Science · 2018

other · Level V

Where this comes from

Abstract

Zhang <i>et al</i> (Reports, 27 January 2017, p. 374) reported synthesis of a <i>cyclo</i>-N<sub>5</sub><sup>-</sup> ion putatively stabilized in a solid-state salt by hydrogen bonding from surrounding counterions. We performed theoretical calculations suggesting that HN<sub>5</sub> would be favored over the anion in the reported pentazolate salt via proton transfer.