Chemistry Learner

It's all about Chemistry

Home / Inorganic Chemistry / Beryllium Chloride

Beryllium Chloride

Beryllium chloride, also known as beryllium dichloride in IUPAC nomenclature, is an inorganic compound of beryllium and chloride represented by the chemical formula BeCl2 [1]. It can attract and hold water from the surrounding environment (hygroscopic compound) and dissolves well in several polar solvents [2].

Beryllium Chloride Identification

CAS Number 7787-47-5 [1]
PubChem CID 24588 [1]
ChemSpider ID 22991 [3]
UN Number 1566 [1]
EC Number 232-116-4 [1]
RTECS Number DS2625000 [1]
NSC Number 84263 [1]
ICSC Number 1354 [1]
InChI Key LWBPNIJBHRISSS-UHFFFAOYSA-L [1]

Beryllium Chloride Formula

How is Beryllium Chloride Prepared

It is synthesized by the reaction of beryllium with chlorine at a temperature of about 250 °C, which is represented by the following equation [4]:

Be + Cl2 → BeCl2

When beryllium oxide reacts with chlorine in the presence of carbon at a temperature of about 700-900 °C, it undergoes carbothermal reduction to yield carbon monoxide and beryllium chloride [5]:

BeO + Cl2 + C → BeCl2 + CO

BeCl2 can also be produced by the reaction of beryllium with a diluted solution of hydrogen chloride:

Be + 2HCl → BeCl2 + H2

Reactions with Other Compounds

Beryllium Chloride with Silver Nitrate

Beryllium chloride reacts with silver nitrate dissolved in water, to form silver chloride powder and an aqueous solution of beryllium nitrate:

BeCl2 + 2AgNO3 → Be(NO3)2 + 2AgCl

Beryllium Chloride Bonding

Properties and Characteristics of Beryllium Chloride

General Properties

Molar Mass/Molecular Weight 79.912 g/mol [1]

Physical Properties

Color and Appearance Colorless/white, whitish-yellow, green crystalline mass [1]
Odor Sharp, pungent [1]
Melting Point 415 °C, 779 °F; 399 °C, 750 °F [1]
Boiling Point 482 °C, 899.6 °F [1]
Density 1.9 g cm-3 [1]
State of matter at room temperature Solid [1]
Solubility Soluble in ethyl ether, ethanol, pyridine, and carbon disulfide, insoluble in toluene, benzene [1]
Solubility in Water 71.5 g/100 g at 25 °C [1]
Heat Capacity (C)  71.1 J/mol K, 7.808 J/K

Atomic Properties

Crystal Structure Hexagonal

Structure of Beryllium Chloride

What is Beryllium Chloride Used for

  • It is a catalyst as well as a chemical intermediate for several beryllium compounds [5].
  • Used as a raw material used during the electrolytic extraction of beryllium [6].

Is It Safe

Beryllium chloride causes acute toxicity if inhaled, swallowed, or exposed through the skin. It results in skin corrosion, allergic skin reaction, eye and respiratory tract irritation [1]. It is known to be a carcinogen in humans and may cause organ toxicity, including lung cancer through repeated exposure [1].

    References

  1. Beryllium Chloride (BeCl2) – Ebi.ac.uk
  2. Beryllium Chloride – Chem.libretexts.org
  3. Beryllium Chloride – Chemspider.com
  4. Beryllium React with ChlorineChemiday.com
  5. Beryllium Chloride – Hazmap.nlm.nih.gov
  6. Electrolytic Extraction of Beryllium – Tandfonline.com

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.