Beryllium chloride
Encyclopedia
Beryllium chloride is an inorganic compound
with the formula
BeCl2. It is a colourless, hygroscopic solid that dissolves well in many polar solvents. Its properties are similar to those of aluminium trichloride.
BeCl2 can also be prepared by carbothermal reduction of beryllium oxide in the presence of chlorine. BeCl2 can be prepared by treating Be metal with hydrogen chloride
.
The solid is a 1-dimensional polymer consisting of edge-shared tetrahedra. In contrast, BeF2
is a 3-dimensional polymer, with a structure akin to that of quartz. In the gas phase, it exists both as a linear monomer and a bridged dimer with two bridging chlorine atoms where the beryllium atom is 3-coordinate. The linear shape of the monomeric form is as predicted by VSEPR theory. The linear shape contrasts with the monomeric forms of some of the dihalides of the heavier members of group 2, e.g. CaF2
, SrF2
, BaF2
, SrCl2
, BaCl2
, BaBr2
, and BaI2
, which are all non-linear.
and has been used as a catalyst in some organic reactions. It hydrolyzes, evolving hydrogen chloride:
It forms a tetrahydrate, BeCl2•4H2O ([Be(H2O)4]Cl2). BeCl2 is also soluble in oxygenated solvents such as ethers.
Inorganic compound
Inorganic compounds have traditionally been considered to be of inanimate, non-biological origin. In contrast, organic compounds have an explicit biological origin. However, over the past century, the classification of inorganic vs organic compounds has become less important to scientists,...
with the formula
Chemical formula
A chemical formula or molecular formula is a way of expressing information about the atoms that constitute a particular chemical compound....
BeCl2. It is a colourless, hygroscopic solid that dissolves well in many polar solvents. Its properties are similar to those of aluminium trichloride.
Structure and synthesis
Beryllium dichloride is prepared by reaction of the metal with chlorine at high temperatures:- Be + Cl2 → BeCl2
BeCl2 can also be prepared by carbothermal reduction of beryllium oxide in the presence of chlorine. BeCl2 can be prepared by treating Be metal with hydrogen chloride
Hydrogen chloride
The compound hydrogen chloride has the formula HCl. At room temperature, it is a colorless gas, which forms white fumes of hydrochloric acid upon contact with atmospheric humidity. Hydrogen chloride gas and hydrochloric acid are important in technology and industry...
.
The solid is a 1-dimensional polymer consisting of edge-shared tetrahedra. In contrast, BeF2
Beryllium fluoride
Beryllium fluoride is the inorganic compound with the formula BeF2. This white solid is the principal precursor for the manufacture of beryllium metal.-Structure and bonding:...
is a 3-dimensional polymer, with a structure akin to that of quartz. In the gas phase, it exists both as a linear monomer and a bridged dimer with two bridging chlorine atoms where the beryllium atom is 3-coordinate. The linear shape of the monomeric form is as predicted by VSEPR theory. The linear shape contrasts with the monomeric forms of some of the dihalides of the heavier members of group 2, e.g. CaF2
Calcium fluoride
Calcium fluoride is the inorganic compound with the formula CaF2. This ionic compound of calcium and fluorine occurs naturally as the mineral fluorite . It is the source of most of the world's fluorine. This insoluble solid adopts a cubic structure wherein calcium is coordinated to eight fluoride...
, SrF2
Strontium fluoride
Strontium fluoride, SrF2, also called strontium difluoride and strontium fluoride, is a fluoride of strontium. It is a stable brittle white crystalline solid with melting point of 1477°C and boiling point 2460°C.-Preparation:...
, BaF2
Barium fluoride
Barium fluoride is a chemical compound of barium and fluorine. It is a solid which can be a transparent crystal. It occurs in nature as the mineral frankdicksonite.-Structure:...
, SrCl2
Strontium chloride
Strontium chloride is a salt of strontium and chloride. It is a typical salt, forming neutral aqueous solutions. Like all compounds of Sr, this salt emits a bright red colour in a flame; in fact is used as a source of redness in fireworks...
, BaCl2
Barium chloride
Barium chloride is the inorganic compound with the formula BaCl2. It is one of the most common water-soluble salts of barium. Like other barium salts, it is toxic and imparts a yellow-green coloration to a flame. It is also hygroscopic....
, BaBr2
Barium bromide
Barium bromide is the chemical compound with the formula BaBr2. Like barium chloride, it dissolves well in water and is toxic in aqueous solution.-Structure and properties:...
, and BaI2
Barium iodide
Barium iodide is an inorganic compound with the formula BaI2. The compound exists both as an anhydrous and a hydrated forms. Both are white solids. When heated, hydrated barium iodide dehydrates and the anhydrous salt can be obtained...
, which are all non-linear.
Reactions
Beryllium chloride is stable in dry air. Beryllium chloride is a Lewis acidLewis acid
]The term Lewis acid refers to a definition of acid published by Gilbert N. Lewis in 1923, specifically: An acid substance is one which can employ a lone pair from another molecule in completing the stable group of one of its own atoms. Thus, H+ is a Lewis acid, since it can accept a lone pair,...
and has been used as a catalyst in some organic reactions. It hydrolyzes, evolving hydrogen chloride:
- BeCl2 + 2H2O → Be(OH)2 + 2 HCl
It forms a tetrahydrate, BeCl2•4H2O ([Be(H2O)4]Cl2). BeCl2 is also soluble in oxygenated solvents such as ethers.
External links
- Beryllium chloride at IPCS INTOX databank
- Properties of BeCl2 from NIST