Beryllium chloride, also known as beryllium dichloride in IUPAC nomenclature, is an inorganic compound of beryllium and chloride represented by the chemical formula BeCl₂ ^[1]. It can attract and hold water from the surrounding environment (hygroscopic compound) and dissolves well in several polar solvents ^[2].

Beryllium Chloride Identification
CAS Number	7787-47-5 [1]
PubChem CID	24588 [1]
ChemSpider ID	22991 [3]
UN Number	1566 [1]
EC Number	232-116-4 [1]
RTECS Number	DS2625000 [1]
NSC Number	84263 [1]
ICSC Number	1354 [1]
InChI Key	LWBPNIJBHRISSS-UHFFFAOYSA-L [1]

How is Beryllium Chloride Prepared

It is synthesized by the reaction of beryllium with chlorine at a temperature of about 250 °C, which is represented by the following equation ^[4]:

Be + Cl₂ → BeCl₂

When beryllium oxide reacts with chlorine in the presence of carbon at a temperature of about 700-900 °C, it undergoes carbothermal reduction to yield carbon monoxide and beryllium chloride ^[5]:

BeO + Cl₂ + C → BeCl₂ + CO

BeCl₂ can also be produced by the reaction of beryllium with a diluted solution of hydrogen chloride:

Be + 2HCl → BeCl₂ + H₂

Reactions with Other Compounds

Beryllium Chloride with Silver Nitrate

Beryllium chloride reacts with silver nitrate dissolved in water, to form silver chloride powder and an aqueous solution of beryllium nitrate:

BeCl₂ + 2AgNO₃ → Be(NO₃)₂ + 2AgCl

Properties and Characteristics of Beryllium Chloride

General Properties
Molar Mass/Molecular Weight	79.912 g/mol [1]
Physical Properties
Color and Appearance	Colorless/white, whitish-yellow, green crystalline mass [1]
Odor	Sharp, pungent [1]
Melting Point	415 °C, 779 °F; 399 °C, 750 °F [1]
Boiling Point	482 °C, 899.6 °F [1]
Density	1.9 g cm-3 [1]
State of matter at room temperature	Solid [1]
Solubility	Soluble in ethyl ether, ethanol, pyridine, and carbon disulfide, insoluble in toluene, benzene [1]
Solubility in Water	71.5 g/100 g at 25 °C [1]
Heat Capacity (C)	71.1 J/mol K, 7.808 J/K
Atomic Properties
Crystal Structure	Hexagonal

What is Beryllium Chloride Used for

• It is a catalyst as well as a chemical intermediate for several beryllium compounds ^[5].
• Used as a raw material used during the electrolytic extraction of beryllium ^[6].

Is It Safe

Beryllium chloride causes acute toxicity if inhaled, swallowed, or exposed through the skin. It results in skin corrosion, allergic skin reaction, eye and respiratory tract irritation ^[1]. It is known to be a carcinogen in humans and may cause organ toxicity, including lung cancer through repeated exposure ^[1].

References
1. Beryllium Chloride (BeCl₂) – Ebi.ac.uk
2. Beryllium Chloride – Chem.libretexts.org
3. Beryllium Chloride – Chemspider.com
4. Beryllium React with Chlorine – Chemiday.com
5. Beryllium Chloride – Hazmap.nlm.nih.gov
6. Electrolytic Extraction of Beryllium – Tandfonline.com