Methyl azide

Methyl azide is a covalent molecule related to hydrazoic acid and other alkyl azides.
Preparation and properties.
Methyl azide can be prepared by the methylation of sodium azide, for instance with dimethyl sulfate in alkaline solution, followed by passing through a tube of anhydrous calcium chloride or sodium hydroxide to remove contaminating hydrazoic acid. The first synthesis was reported in 1905. 
It decomposes in a first-order reaction:
Methyl azide might be a potential precursor in the synthesis of prebiotic molecules via nonequilibrium reactions on interstellar ices initiated by energetic galactic cosmic rays (GCR) and photons.
Safety precautions.
Methyl azide is stable at ambient temperature but may explode when heated. Presence of mercury increases the sensitivity to shock and spark. It is incompatible with methanol and dimethyl malonate. When heated to decomposition, it emits toxic fumes of NOx. It can be stored indefinitely in the dark at −80 °C.