Ethylenediamine complexes of the beryllium halides and pseudo-halides

The suitability of ethylenediamine (en) as an alternative solvent to liquid ammonia in beryllium chemistry was evaluated. Therefore, BeF2, BeCl2, BeBr2, BeI2, Be(NH3)4(N3)2, Be(NH3)4(CN)2 and Be(NH3)4(SCN)2 were reacted with ethylenediamine and analysed via NMR and IR spectroscopy. Additionally single crystal structures of BeF2(en)n, Be(en)3Cl2, Be(en)3Br2, Be(en)2I2·en, Be(en)2(N3)2·en, Be(en)24(SCN)7Cl and Be3(OH)3(en)3C2H9N2(SCN)4 were obtained. The anions were found to have a distinct influence on the solubility as well as on the species present in solution and the solid state, while ethylenediamine can act as mono- and bidentate ligand or as a crystal solvent.