Beryllium carbide

Beryllium carbide
Names
	IUPAC name Beryllium carbide
	Other names Beryllium methanide
Identifiers
CAS Number	506-66-1 ;
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image ;
ChemSpider	61480 ;
ECHA InfoCard	100.007.319
EC Number	208-050-7;
PubChem CID	68173 ;
UNII	F5D2F26ONX ;
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID6060137 ;
	InChI InChI=1S/C.2Be Key: UQVOJETYKFAIRZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N ;
	SMILES [Be]=C=[Be];
Properties
Chemical formula	Be2C
Molar mass	30.035 g·mol−1
Appearance	Yellow to red crystals
Odor	odorless
Density	1.90 g/cm3 (at 15 °C)
Melting point	2,100 °C (3,810 °F; 2,370 K) (decomposes)
Solubility in water	decomposes
Structure
Crystal structure	cubic
Hazards
	NIOSH (US health exposure limits):
PEL (Permissible)	TWA 0.002 mg/m3; C 0.005 mg/m3 (30 minutes), with a maximum peak of 0.025 mg/m3 (as Be)
REL (Recommended)	Ca C 0.0005 mg/m3 (as Be)
IDLH (Immediate danger)	Ca [4 mg/m3 (as Be)]
Related compounds
Related compounds	Boron carbide ; Aluminium carbide ; Silicon carbide ; Carbon dioxide ; Carbon diselenide ; Carbon disulfide ;
	Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). verify (what is ?) Infobox references

Last updated February 23, 2025

Beryllium carbide is a chemical compound with the chemical formula Be ₂ C . It is a metal carbide.^[2] Similar to diamond, it is a very hard compound. It is used in nuclear reactors as a core material.

Preparation

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:

2 BeO + 3 C → Be₂C + 2 CO

Beryllium carbide decomposes very slowly in water and forms methane gas:

Be₂C + 2 H₂O → 2 BeO + 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 + 4 OH⁻ → 2 BeO2−2 + CH₄

References

1 2 3 NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. "#0054". National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
↑ "Beryllium Carbide". American Elements. Retrieved 25 June 2023.

External links

[PGCH-1] 1 2 3 NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. "#0054". National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

[2] "Beryllium Carbide". American Elements. Retrieved 25 June 2023.

[1]

[2]

Beryllium carbide

Contents

Preparation

See also

References

External links

Names

IUPAC name Beryllium carbide
Other names Beryllium methanide
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^Y Key: UQVOJETYKFAIRZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N^Y
SMILES [Be]=C=[Be]
Properties
Chemical formula	Be₂C
Molar mass	30.035 g·mol⁻¹
Appearance	Yellow to red crystals
Odor	odorless
Density	1.90 g/cm³ (at 15 °C)
Melting point	2,100 °C (3,810 °F; 2,370 K) (decomposes)
Solubility in water	decomposes
Structure
Crystal structure	cubic
Hazards
NIOSH (US health exposure limits):
PEL (Permissible)	TWA 0.002 mg/m³ C 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]
Related compounds
Related compounds	Boron carbide Aluminium carbide Silicon carbide Carbon dioxide Carbon diselenide Carbon disulfide
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). N verify (what is ^YN ?) Infobox references