Chemical Properties
white powder
Definition
ChEBI: The fluoride salt of beryllium (+2 oxidation state). In the solid state it exists as a glass, with four-coordinate Be2+ tetrahedral centres and two-coordinate fluoride centres. As a gas it adopts a linear triatomic structure and in the
liquid state a fluctuating tetrahedral structure. In protein crystallography it is used as a mimic of phosphate.
Uses
manufacture of Be and Be alloys; manufacture of glass; in nuclear reactors.
General Description
Odorless white solid. Denser than water.
Air & Water Reactions
Water soluble.
Reactivity Profile
Beryllium fluoride is incompatible with the following: Acids, caustics, chlorinated hydrocarbons, oxidizers, magnesium, molten lithium .
Health Hazard
Any dramatic weight loss should be considered as possible first indication of beryllium disease. Inhalation causes irritation of nose, throat, and lungs, severe pneumonitis, and/or pulmonary edema. Ingestion causes fatigue, weakness, loss of appetite. Contact with eyes causes severe irritation and burns. Contact with skin causes dermatitis and non-healing ulcers.
Fire Hazard
Special Hazards of Combustion Products: Toxic and irritating vapor of unburned material may form in fire.
Hazard
A known carcinogen. Toxic by inhalation and ingestion.
Description
Beryllium fluoride has the formula, BeF2, and is
a hygroscopic, amorphous solid with a melting point
of 800°C. It is soluble in water and is used in beryllium
metallurgy in which the metal, Be, is employed as an
alloy. Solid crystalline BeF2 has a silica-like structure with
beryllium in a four-coordinate position.
Physical properties
Glassy solid; tetragonal crystal system; hygroscopic; density 2.1 g/cm3; melts BERYLLIUM FLUORIDE 101 at 552°C; vaporizes at 1,169°C; very soluble in water; sparingly soluble in alcohol.
Preparation
Beryllium fluoride is made by thermal decomposition of ammonium beryllium fluoride at 900 to 950°C.
Manufacturing Process
First, beryllium hydroxide is dissolved in an ammonium hydrogen fluoride solution. The resulting ammonium tetrafluoroberyllate is dissociated to a small extent in the solution that the pH can be varied over a wide range without precipitating beryllium hydroxide. Impurities can thus be precipitated relatively easily as hydroxides. Aluminum is precipitated as hydroxide by increasing the pH to 8.3. Chromium and manganese are precipitated by oxidation with lead dioxide, and manganese is precipitated by oxidation with lead dioxide and manganese dioxide. Copper, nickel, and lead are precipitated as sulfides. Ammonium tetrafluoroberyllate is freely soluble in water. When concentrated by evaporation, it crystallizes without water or hydration. Above 130 ?C, it dissociates into ammonium fluoride and beryllium fluoride. Between 900 and 1100 ?C, ammonium tetrafluoroberyllate dissociates into gaseous beryllium fluoride and gaseous ammonium fluoride. The latter can be recycled into the process as ammonium hydrogen fluoride by dissolving it in aqueous hydrogen fluoride. Cooling produces beryllium fluoride as vitreous grains.
Safety Profile
Confirmed carcinogen withexperimental carcinogenic and tumorigenic data byinhalation. Poison by ingestion, subcutaneous,intravenous, and intraperitoneal routes. Incompatible with Mg. When heated to decomposition, itemits very toxic fumes of BeO and F
