Nitrogen is perhaps the most common chemical element in the entire Solar System. To be more specific, nitrogen takes 4th place in terms of prevalence. Nitrogen in nature is an inert gas.
This gas has neither color nor odor; it is very difficult to dissolve in water. However, nitrate salts tend to react very well with water. Nitrogen has a low density.
Nitrogen is an amazing element. There is an assumption that he got his name from the ancient Greek language, which means “lifeless, spoiled” in translation from it. Why is there such a negative attitude towards nitrogen? After all, we know that it is part of proteins, and breathing without it is almost impossible. Nitrogen plays an important role in nature. But in the atmosphere, this gas is inert. If you take it as it is in its original form, then there are many possible side effects. The victim may even die from suffocation. After all, nitrogen is therefore called lifeless, which does not support combustion or respiration.
Under ordinary conditions, such a gas only reacts with lithium, forming a compound such as lithium nitride Li3N. As we see, the oxidation state of nitrogen in such a compound is -3. Of course , nitrogen reacts with other metals and substances, too, but only when heated or using various catalysts. By the way, -3 is the lowest degree of nitrogen oxidation, since only 3 electrons are needed to completely fill the external energy level.
This indicator has a variety of values. Each nitrogen oxidation state has its own compound. It’s better to just remember such connections.
So, the oxidation state of -3 can be for nitrides. The nitrogen oxidation state in ammonia is also -3, however paradoxical it may sound. Ammonia is a colorless gas with a very pungent odor. Remember ammonia. It also includes ammonia NH3. They even produce drugs with ammonia content. They are mainly indicated for fainting, dizziness, severe intoxication. A pungent smell quickly leads to feelings in the victim. Still, because he is ready to do anything, if only they would remove this "stink" from him.
Rarely occur such degrees of nitrogen oxidation as -1 and -2. The first is found in the so-called pernitrides, among which N2H2 is especially worth noting. The last oxidation state is found in the NH2OH compound. Such a complex substance is a very weak unstable base. It is mainly used in organic synthesis.
We turn to the higher degrees of nitrogen oxidation, of which there are also very many. The oxidation state of nitrogen +1 is found in a compound such as laughing gas (N2O). With a small amount of such gas, practically no side effects are observed. Often it is used in small doses for anesthesia. However, if the inhalation time of this gas is long enough, then death by suffocation is possible.
An oxidation state of +2 is found in compound NO. The oxidation state of +3 is in N2O3 oxide. The oxidation state is +4 in NO2 oxide. Such a gas has a reddish-brown hue and a pungent odor. It is an acid oxide.
+5 - the highest degree of oxidation in nitrogen. It is found in nitric acid and in all nitrate salts.