Beryllium oxalate

Beryllium oxalate is an inorganic compound, a salt of beryllium metal and oxalic acid with the chemical formula BeC₂O₄.^[3] It forms colorless crystals, dissolves in water, and also forms crystalline hydrates. The compound is used to prepare ultra-pure beryllium oxide^[4] by thermal decomposition.^[5]

Beryllium oxalate

Identifiers
CAS Number	3173-18-0 Y
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChemSpider	4953986
PubChem CID	6451522
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID60185620
InChI InChI=1S/C2H2O4.Be/c3-1(4)2(5)6;/h(H,3,4)(H,5,6);/q;+2/p-2 Key: XQZGLPVUHKSNBQ-UHFFFAOYSA-L
SMILES [Be+2].C(=O)(C(=O)[O-])[O-]
Properties
Chemical formula	BeC2O4
Molar mass	97.03[1]
Appearance	Transparent crystals
Boiling point	365.1 °C (689.2 °F; 638.2 K)
Solubility in water	Soluble
Hazards
Flash point	188.8[2] °C (371.8 °F; 461.9 K)
Related compounds
Related compounds	Calcium oxalate Sodium oxalate Magnesium oxalate Strontium oxalate Barium oxalate Iron(II) oxalate Iron(III) oxalate Lithium oxalate Praseodymium oxalate
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). Infobox references

Synthesis

The action of oxalic acid on beryllium hydroxide:^[6]

Be(OH)₂ + H₂C₂O₄ → BeC₂O₄ + 2 H₂O

Chemical properties

Crystalline hydrates lose water when heated to 100 °C (212 °F):

BeC₂O₄·3H₂O → BeC₂O₄·H₂O + 2 H₂O

And become anhydrous at 220 °C (428 °F):

BeC₂O₄·H₂O → BeC₂O₄ + H₂O