Beryllium carbide

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Beryllium carbide
Names
IUPAC name
Beryllium carbide
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.007.319 Edit this at Wikidata
EC Number
  • 208-050-7
UNII
  • InChI=1S/C.2Be checkY
    Key: UQVOJETYKFAIRZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N checkY
  • [Be][C][Be]
  • [Be]=C=[Be]
Properties
CBe2
Molar mass 30.035 g·mol−1
Appearance Yellow to red crystals
Odor odorless
Density 1.90 g cm−3 (at 15 °C)
Melting point 2,100 °C (3,810 °F; 2,370 K) (decomposes)
decomposes
Structure
cubic
Related compounds
Related compounds
 Carbon dioxide

Carbon diselenide
Carbon disulfide

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)[1]
REL (Recommended)
 Ca C 0.0005 mg/m3 (as Be)[1]
IDLH (Immediate danger)
 Ca [4 mg/m3 (as Be)][1]
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Beryllium carbide, or Be2C, is a metal carbide.[2] Similar to diamond, it is a very hard compound. It is used in nuclear reactors as a core material.

Preparation

Beryllium carbide is prepared by heating the elements beryllium and carbon at elevated temperatures (above 950°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 and forms methane gas:

Be2C + 2H2O → 2BeO + CH4

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

Be2C + 4 H+ → 2 Be2+ + CH4

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

Be2C + 4OH− → 2 BeO22− + CH4

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. "#0054". National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
  2. ^ "Beryllium Carbide". American Elements. Retrieved 25 June 2023.

External links

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