π-Bonding in three-co-ordinate beryllium compounds. Structure of tetra-µ-t-butoxydichlorotriberyllium

The crystal structure of the title compound shows that the three beryllium atoms are collinear with adjacent beryllium atoms linked by two bridging t-butoxy groups, so that while the central beryllium is four-co-ordinate the terminal beryllium atoms are three-co-ordinate by also bonding to a terminal chlorine atom; the short bonds around the terminal beryllium atom are supportive of some degree of π-bonding and the co-planarity of beryllium and its three attached atoms will tend to maximise any such dative interaction.