NH₃ / NH₄⁺
Ammonia and AmmoniumNitrogen with hydrogen
Ammonia is an important raw material for fertilizers and other chemicals. In water, it is part of the equilibrium between ammonia and ammonium ion.
PubChem · ammonia ↗Welcome to the Chemical Zoo
Atlas of nitrogen compounds: N is everywhere. Really everywhere.
From ammonia to DNA: nitrogen combines with various elements to create a whole family of compounds. Below is a map of the main groups — not a list of quite every molecule chemistry has ever known.
Explore compounds ↓Select exhibition section
Nitrogen compounds classified by families.
The filters below help with orientation. Formulas are examples from each family; compounds can have very different properties and risks, so do not treat them as interchangeable.
N₂H₄ · NH₂OH
Hydrazine · HydroxylamineThe smaller nitrogen hydride relatives
Hydrazine and hydroxylamine are nitrogen compounds with hydrogen and one other element. Uses and hazards depend on the specific compound, concentration and circumstances.
N₂O · NO · NO₂
Nitrogen oxidesOxides: the formula changes the story
Nitrogen(I) oxide N₂O, nitrogen(II) oxide NO and nitrogen(IV) oxide NO₂ are different molecules, not three names for the same gas.
PubChem · N₂O ↗N₂O₃ · N₂O₄ · N₂O₅
Other oxidesMore atoms, more combinations
Nitrogen also forms other oxides. Some are related to equilibria between the gas and liquid phases or to the formation of acids; the details belong in a more advanced chemistry tour.
HNO₂ · HNO₃
OxoacidsNitric acids
Nitric acid HNO₂ and nitric acid HNO₃ are related in composition but differ in chemical properties. HNO₃ plays an important role in industrial chemistry.
PubChem · nitric acid ↗NO₂⁻ · NO₃⁻
Nitrites · nitratesIons in water and soil
Nitrite and nitrate ions participate in the nitrogen cycle. Their presence and quantity are important for plants, aquatic ecosystems and water quality monitoring.
PubChem · nitrates and nitrites ↗NH₄NO₃ · NaNO₃
Nitrogen saltsAmmonium and nitrate salts
Ammonium nitrate and sodium nitrate are examples of ionic compounds that contain nitrogen. Salts with the same anion differ in cation and properties.
PubChem · sodium nitrate ↗R–NH₂ · R₂NH · R₃N
AminiOrganic compounds with amino group
Amines are organic compounds related to ammonia in which one or more hydrogens have been replaced by organic groups. There are many in chemistry and biology.
R–C(=O)–NH₂
AmidesAmides and peptide bonds
The amide group occurs in many molecules. The peptide bond that connects amino acids in protein chains is a special type of amide bond.
OpenStax · protein ↗R–C≡N · R–NO₂ · R–N=N–R
Nitriles · nitro · azoOrganic chemistry in colors
Nitriles have a C≡N group; nitro compounds group –NO₂; azo compounds have an N=N bond. Each family has its own structure and use.
NH₂–CHR–COOH
Amino acidsProtein building blocks
Amino acids contain an amino group. Cells combine them into proteins, the structure of which determines a wide range of biological tasks.
OpenStax · amino acids and proteins ↗A · C · G · T / U
DNA · RNANitrogen bases
Nucleotides include a nitrogenous base. DNA uses adenine, cytosine, guanine, and thymine; RNA uses uracil instead of thymine.
OpenStax · nucleic acids ↗CH₄N₂O
UreaA small molecule with multiple roles
Urea is an organic compound with two nitrogen atoms. In humans, it is important in removing excess nitrogen; it is also used as a nitrogen fertilizer.
PubChem · urea ↗MNₓ · N₃⁻ · CN⁻
Nitrides · Azides · CyanidesSpecial groups
Nitrides, azides and cyanides are different families with very different chemical and safety characteristics. They are not interchangeable; some compounds are very dangerous.
Atlas Extent: Nitrogen forms a huge number of compounds. This page is an overview of important families and selected examples, not a complete catalog of all known molecules. N₂ is a molecule of atmospheric nitrogen; when atoms are rearranged in a reaction to another compound, it is no longer an N₂ molecule.
Comic strip from the museum department
Nitrogen is looking for his locker.
NITROGEN:
“Am I in ammonia, dye or DNA?”
CURATOR:
“Yes. And please don't touch the cyanide display case.”
“Am I in ammonia, dye or DNA?”
CURATOR:
“Yes. And please don't touch the cyanide display case.”
Resources and databases
Open the compound file.
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QUESTION 2 OF 2
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