Basic beryllium acetate
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Basic beryllium acetate is the chemical compound with the formula Be4O(O2CCH3)6. Although this species has no applications and has been only lightly studied, it adopts a distinctive structure and exhibits remarkable thermal stability. "Basic acetates" consist of an ensemble of metal atoms, a central oxide atom, and an exterior of acetate groups. Another family of basic acetates are trimetallic with the formula M3O(O2CCH3)6(H2O)3 (M = Cr, Fe, Ru). Mixed metal members of this family also exist.
[edit] Preparation
To prepare Be4O(O2CCH3)6, basic beryllium carbonate is treated with hot acetic acid. The product is insoluble in water but soluble in chloroform, indicative of a nonpolar species. It melts at 284 °C and sublimes in a vacuum without decomposition.[1]
[edit] Structure
The structure of Be4O(O2CCH3)6 is relevant to its considerable stability. It is diamondoid, consisting of interlocking six-membered Be2O3C rings. The structure of this compound has been examined by two famous crystallography laboratories.[2][3]
[edit] References
- ^ Moeller, T.; Cohen, A. J.; Marvell, E. “Basic Beryllium Acetate and Proprionate” Inorganic Syntheses McGraw-Hill: New York, 1950; Vol. 3, 9-11.
- ^ Bragg, W. H. "Crystal Structure of Basic Beryllium Acetate" Nature, 1923, volume 111, page 532.
- ^ Pauling, L.; Sherman, J. "The Structure of the Carboxyl Group: II. The Crystal Structure of Basic Beryllium Acetate." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (US) 1934, volume 20, pages 340-5.
