Beryllium cyanide

Beryllium cyanide is an inorganic chemical compound with the formula Be(CN)₂. 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:^[1]

(CH₃)₂Be + 2 HCN → Be(CN)₂ + 2 CH₄

Beryllium cyanide

Names
Other names Beryllium dicyanide
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
PubChem CID	15301188
InChI InChI=1S/2CN.Be/c2*1-2;/q2*-1;+2
SMILES [Be+2].[C-]#N.[C-]#N
Properties
Chemical formula	Be(CN)2
Molar mass	61.05 g/mol
Appearance	Colorless solid[1][2]
Density	1.34 g/cm3[2]
Melting point	700 °C (1,292 °F; 973 K)[1] (decomposes)
Solubility in water	Hydrolysis[1]
Structure[2]
Crystal structure	cubic
Space group	Pn3m
Lattice constant	a = 5.339 Å
Lattice volume (V)	151.2 Å3
Coordination geometry	tetrahedral (beryllium)
Related compounds
Other cations	Magnesium cyanide
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). Infobox references

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, Be(NH₃)₄(CN)₂.^[2][3]

Beryllium cyanide reacts with pyridine to form Be(CN)₂(py)₂.^[4]

Structure

Beryllium cyanide adopts a cubic crystal structure, with tetrahedrally coordinated beryllium by four cyanide anions. The tetrahedra are linked at their vertices.^[2]