What Is Beryllium Chloride?
Beryllium chloride is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula BeCl2. It is highly poisonous and should be handled with care. Beryllium chloride can be produced by dissolving beryllium oxide or beryllium hydroxide in hydrochloric acid. This process yields a tetrahydrate form, which at temperatures above 192 °F (89 °C) forms a dihydrate.
Aqueous solutions of beryllium chloride are acidic due to hydrolysis. Note that the tetrahydrate cannot be dehydrated using diphosphorus pentoxide and decomposes upon heating to form a basic salt at temperatures above 212 °F (100 °C).
Uses of Beryllium Chloride
Beryllium chloride is used as a raw material in the production of beryllium by electrolysis. It also catalyzes the Friedel-Crafts reaction, aiding in the production of carbocations. It remains stable in dry air and acts as a Lewis acid, being utilized in various organic reactions as a catalyst.
The anhydride form of beryllium chloride, a colorless crystalline substance, is produced under high temperatures and reacts vigorously with water in an intensely exothermic process. It is highly hygroscopic and can dissolve in organic solvents like ethanol and ether to form the complex BeCl2-2A.