The electronic structure of the ternary nitride Li2ZrN2 is examined from ab initio with DFT computations for an assessment of the properties of chemical bonding. The compound is found insulating with 1.8eV band gap; it becomes metallic and less ionic upon removal of one equivalent of Li. The chemical interaction is found mainly between Zr and N on one hand and Li and N on the other hand. While all pair interactions are bonding, antibonding N–N interactions are found dominant at the top of the valence band of Li2ZrN2 and they become less intense upon removal of Li. From energy differences the partial delithiation leading to Li2−xZrN2 (x=∼1) is favored. Trigonal structure of Li2ZrN2 showing the Zr–N–Li layers along the c-axis. Display omitted ► Li2ZrN2 calculated insulating with a 1.8eV gap in agreement with its light green color. ► Lithium de-intercalation is energetically favored for one out of two Li equivalents. ► Li plays little role in the change of the structure, ensured by Zr and N binding. ► Similar changes in the electronic structure as for various intercalated phases of ZrN.