Beryllium carbide (original) (raw)
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Beryllium carbide
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| Names | |
| IUPAC name Beryllium carbide | |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS Number | 506-66-1  Y |
| 3D model (JSmol) | Interactive image |
| ChemSpider | 61480 Y |
| ECHA InfoCard | 100.007.319  |
| EC Number | 208-050-7 |
| PubChem CID | 68173 |
| UNII | F5D2F26ONX Y |
| CompTox Dashboard (EPA) | DTXSID6060137 |
| InChI InChI=1S/C.2Be YKey: UQVOJETYKFAIRZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Y |
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| SMILES [Be]=C=[Be] | |
| Properties | |
| Chemical formula | 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) |
| Solubility in water | decomposes |
| Structure | |
| Crystal structure | cubic |
| Related compounds | |
| Related compounds | Carbon dioxide Carbon diselenide Carbon disulfide |
| Hazards | |
| NIOSH (US health exposure limits): | |
| PEL (Permissible) | TWA 0.002 mg/m3C 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).  N verify (what is Y N ?) Infobox references |
Chemical compound
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.
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
- ^ a b c NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. "#0054". National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
- ^ "Beryllium Carbide". American Elements. Retrieved 25 June 2023.