Beryllium cyanide


Beryllium cyanide is an inorganic chemical compound with the formula Be2. It is a toxic white solid which hydrolyses in water. It was first prepared in 1963 by the addition of dimethylberyllium to a solution of hydrogen cyanide in benzene:
A safer modern synthesis has been developed, reacting trimethylsilyl cyanide and beryllium chloride in dibutyl ether. Performing this reaction in liquid ammonia gives the ammoniate, Be42.
Beryllium cyanide reacts with pyridine to form Be22.

Structure

Beryllium cyanide adopts a cubic crystal structure, with tetrahedrally coordinated beryllium by four cyanide anions. The tetrahedra are linked at their vertices.