What is "nitrogen triiodide"

n. (context chemistry English) The binary compound of nitrogen and iodine, NI₃; a dark red explosive solid.

Nitrogen triiodide is the inorganic compound with the formula N I. It is an extremely sensitive contact explosive: small quantities explode with a loud, sharp snap when touched even lightly, releasing a purple cloud of iodine vapor; it can even be detonated by alpha radiation. NI has a complex structural chemistry that is difficult to study because of the instability of the derivatives.