t-Butoxyberyllium halides and related compounds: the series X2Be3(OBut)4

Abstract

Two series of t-butoxyberyllium halides are described, viz., (XBeOBu^t,L)₂ and X₂Be₃(OBu^t)₄(X = Cl, Br, or I and L = Et₂O or tetrahydrofuran). The iodo-complex (IBeOBu^t,OEt₂)₂ dissociates extensively in benzene. The series (XBeOBu^t,L)₂ is formed from MeBeBr and acetone, from LiOBu^t and BeX₂, or from Be(OBu^t)₂ and BeX₂. The series X₂Be₃(OBu^t)₄ is conveniently obtained from Be(OBu^t)₂ and BeX₂: the crystal structure of the chloride is known and those of the others are assumed to be similar. The halogen may be replaced by methyl or t-butyl, and reactions of Me₂Be₃(OBu^t)₄ with acids have given members of the series in which X = N₃, CN, NO₃, and with t-butylalcohol the known t-butoxide, [Be(OBu^t)₂]₃, is formed. Methanol and Me₂Be₃(OBu^t)₄ yield [Be(OBu^t)₂]₃ and polymeric Be(OMe)₂. With LiSBu^t, Cl₂Be₃(OBu^t)₄ yields (Bu^tS)₂Be₃(OBu^t)₄. The mixed alkoxy-amide, (Me₂N)₂Be₃(OBu^t)₄, and the methylamide, Me₂Be₃(NMe₂)₄, are described: the former yields a methiodide but the latter does not.