Beryllium arsenate salts are less stable than those of
magnesium and readily form basic salts. This is due to
the fact that Be2+ preferentially forms hydroxy
complexes of the type, Be(OH)+ in association with
water molecules. Species such as Be2(OH)3+ and Be3(OH)3
2+ are known to exist. The hydroxylation reaction
has been given as:
xBe2+ + yH2O ? Bex(OH)y
2x-y+ + yH+
where x and y can vary from 1 to 8. Species such as
Be3(OH)73+ and Be4(OH)84+ are known. Thus, the prior
literature may be in doubt as to exact formulas for beryllium
compounds prepared from aqueous solutions.
