Beryllium bromide
# Beryllium bromide

Beryllium bromide is the chemical compound with the formula $BeBr_2.$ It is very hygroscopic and dissolves well in water. The compound is a polymer with tetrahedral coordinated Be centres.

## Preparation and reactions

It can be prepared by reacting beryllium metal with elemental bromine at temperatures of 500 °C to 700 °C:

    Be + $Br_2$ → $BeBr_2$

Beryllium bromide is also formed when treating beryllium oxide with hydrobromic acid:

    BeO + 2 HBr → $BeBr_2$ + $H_2O$

It hydrolyzes slowly in water: $BeBr_2$ + 2 $H_2O$ → 2 HBr + $Be(OH)_2$

## Structure

Two forms (polymorphs) of $BeBr_2$ are known. Both structures consist of tetrahedral $Be^{2+}$ centers interconnected by doubly bridging bromide ligands. One form consist of edge-sharing polytetrahedra. The other form resembles zinc iodide with interconnected adamantane-like cages.

## Safety

Beryllium compounds are toxic if inhaled or ingested.

