Question

Why is the name of Si3N4 silicon nitride even though it has covalent bonds?

Answer 1

`\textrm {Silicon nitride}`
`\mathrm {(Si_(3)N_(4))}`
`\textrm {is a chemical compound containing silicon and nitrogen.}`

`\textrm {Due it to its high thermodynamic stability, it is relatively chemically}\\\textrm {inert and very hard in nature.}`

`\textrm {Until 1960, it was widely believed covalent compounds could not be}\\\textrm {sintered, a process of converting a powdered material into a solid mass.}`

`\textrm {Since the title of the compound was already given at the time,} \\\textrm {it was not changed later on.}`

Answer 2

Pure silicon nitride is difficult to produce as a fully dense material. This covalently bonded material does not readily sinter and cannot be heated over 1850°C as it dissociates into silicon and nitrogen.