Beryllium carbide

Beryllium carbide
Names
	IUPAC name Beryllium carbide
Identifiers
CAS Number	506-66-1 ;
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image; Interactive image;
ChemSpider	61480 ;
ECHA InfoCard	100.007.319
EC Number	208-050-7;
PubChem CID	68173;
UNII	F5D2F26ONX ;
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID6060137 ;
	InChI InChI=1S/C.2Be Key: UQVOJETYKFAIRZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N ;
	SMILES [Be][C][Be]; [Be]=C=[Be];
Properties
Chemical formula	CBe2
Molar mass	30.035 g·mol−1
Appearance	Yellow crystals
Odor	odorless
Density	1.90 g cm−3 (at 15 °C)
Melting point	2,100 °C (3,810 °F; 2,370 K) (decomposes)
Solubility in water	decomposes
Hazards
	NIOSH (US health exposure limits):
PEL (Permissible)	TWA 0.002 mg/m3; C 0.005 mg/m3 (30 minutes), with a maximum peak of 0.025 mg/m3 (as Be)
REL (Recommended)	Ca C 0.0005 mg/m3 (as Be)
IDLH (Immediate danger)	Ca [4 mg/m3 (as Be)]
Related compounds
Related compounds	Carbon dioxide; Carbon diselenide; Carbon disulfide
	Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). verify (what is ?) Infobox references

Beryllium carbide, or Be₂C, is a metal carbide. Similar to diamond, it is a very hard compound.^[2]

Preparation

Beryllium carbide is prepared by heating the elements beryllium and carbon at elevated temperatures (above 900°C). It also may be prepared by reduction of beryllium oxide with carbon at a temperature above 1,500°C:

2BeO + 3C → Be₂C + 2CO

Beryllium carbide decomposes very slowly in water:

Be₂C + 2H₂O → 2BeO + CH₄

The rate of decomposition is faster in mineral acids with evolution of methane.

Be₂C + 4 H⁺ → 2 Be²⁺ + CH₄

However, in hot concentrated alkali the reaction is very rapid, forming alkali metal beryllates and methane:

Be₂C + 4OH⁻ → 2 BeO₂²⁻ + CH₄

References

^ ^a ^b ^c NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. "#0054". National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
^ Beryllium Carbide Info American Elements Retrieved June 11, 2009.

External links

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[PGCH-1] NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. "#0054". National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

[2] Beryllium Carbide Info American Elements Retrieved June 11, 2009.

[1]

[2]

Preparation

See also

References

External links