Ligand Influence on Structural and Spectroscopic Properties of Beryllium Oxocarboxylates

Aluminum-based adjuvants for vaccines and beryllium ions interact with the same immune receptor. The Be₄O core, which is also found in beryllium oxocarboxylates, has been proposed to be the binding species in the latter case. However, this is not proven due to a lack of suitable probes for the Be₄O moiety. Therefore, a versatile synthetic route to beryllium oxocarboxylates has been developed to investigate the steric and electronic influence of the ligands onto their molecular and spectroscopic properties. The oxocarboxylates exhibit extremely narrow line widths in ⁹Be NMR spectroscopy, and the chemical shift is only influenced by the sterics of the ligands. The mean variation of the atomic distances in the central Be₄O building block is extremely small over all investigated compounds, and even the C-C distances are only little perturbed by the properties of the ligands. Vibrational spectroscopy showed Be-O bands; however, further distinctions could not be drawn.

Towards more effective beryllium chelation: an investigation of second-sphere hydrogen bonding

A comparative study between three experimentally known beryllium chelators (EDTA, NTP, and 10-HBQS) and two tetradentate tripodal di-pyridine-based receptors (HL and HL-NH2), specifically designed to bind Be2+ cations, has been undertaken in the aqueous phase at the B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) computational level. The relative binding energies of these five ligand systems to a variety of first row and pre-transition metal cations have been calculated, specifically to investigate their binding strength to Be2+ and the binding enhancement that a second sphere hydrogen bonding interaction could afford to the pyridyl based systems. The complexes of EDTA were calculated to have the highest average binding energy; followed by those of NTP, HL-NH2, HL, and finally 10-HBQS. The calculated binding energy of the HL-NH2Be complex, which includes second sphere interactions, was found to be almost 9% greater than the HL Be complex, with an average binding energy increase of 13.5% observed across all metals upon inclusion of second sphere hydrogen bonding.

Speciation of Be2+ in acidic liquid ammonia and formation of tetra- and octanuclear beryllium amido clusters

The hexa-μ₂-amido-tetraammine-tetraberyllium compounds [Be₄(NH₂)₆(NH₃)₄]X₂ (X = Cl, Br, I, CN, SCN, N₃) have been prepared from beryllium metal and NH₄X or [Be(NH₃)₄]X₂ in liquid ammonia at ambient temperature. The obtained compounds feature an adamantyl shaped complex cation, which was examined via X-ray diffraction, IR, Raman and NMR spectroscopy. The speciation in solution was studied via¹⁵N labeling experiments supplemented with quantum chemistry. Hereby, the intermediates [Be₂(NH₂)(NH₃)₆]³⁺ and [Be₃(NH₂)₃(NH₃)₆]³⁺ were identified. Reactivity studies provided bis(N-acetimidoylacetamidinato-N,N′)-beryllium(ii), when [Be₄(NH₂)₆(NH₃)₄]²⁺ was treated with acetonitrile. While the unprecedented octa-nuclear complex cation [Be₈O(NH₂)₁₂(C₅H₅N)₄]²⁺ was received from pyridine. This cluster proves that the [Be₄O]⁶⁺ core can be stabilized without bidentate O-donor ligands.

The boundaries of beryllium metal oxidation in acidic ammonia have been explored. This enabled the isolation of the tetra- and octa-nuclear beryllium amide complexes. The latter exhibits a completely new structural motive in coordination chemistry.

Beryllium-associated diseases from a chemist’s point of view

Beryllium has long been considered the most toxic non-radioactive element to humans. However, it is shown that the acute toxicity of beryllium ions does not exceed that of other toxic cations like Cd2+, Ba2+, Hg2+ or As3+. The physiological mechanisms liable for the development of beryllium-associated diseases are discussed. Additionally an overview over proposed low-molecular model system for the beryllium species responsible for beryllioses is presented.

Beryllium-Induced Conversion of Aldehydes

Aldehydes play a key role in the human metabolism. Therefore, it is essential to know their reactivity with beryllium compounds in order to assess its effects in the body. The reactivity of simple aldehydes towards beryllium halides (F, Cl, Br, I) was studied through solution and solid‐state techniques and revealed distinctively different reactivities of the beryllium halides, with BeF₂ being the least and BeI₂ the most reactive. Rearrangement and aldol condensation reactions were observed and monitored by in situ NMR spectroscopy. Crystal structures of various compounds obtained by Be²⁺‐catalyzed cyclization, rearrangement, and aldol addition reactions or ligation of beryllium halides have been determined, including unprecedented one‐dimensional BeCl₂ chains and the first structurally characterized example of an 1‐iodo‐alkoxide. Long‐term studies showed that only aldehydes without a β‐H can form stable beryllium complexes, whereas other aldehydes are oligo‐ and polymerized or decomposed by beryllium halides.

The bio-relevant metals of the periodic table of the elements

The bio-relevant metals (and derived compounds) of the Periodic Table of the Elements (PTE) are in the focus. The bulk elements sodium (Na), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), and calcium (Ca) from the s-block, which are essential for all kingdoms of life, and some of their bio-activities are discussed. The trace elements of the d-block of the PTE as far as they are essential for humans (Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, Mo) are emphasized, but V, Ni, Cd, and W, which are essential only for some forms of life, are also considered. Chromium is no longer classified as being essential. From the p-block metals only the metalloid (half-metal) selenium (Se) is essential for all forms of life. Two other metalloids, silicon and arsenic, are briefly mentioned, but they have not been proven as being essential for humans. All metals of the PTE and a plethora of their compounds are used in industry and many of them are highly toxic, like lead (Pb), which is discussed as a prime example. Several metals of the PTE, that is, their ions and complexes, are employed in medicine and we discuss the role of lithium, gallium, strontium, technetium, silver, gadolinium (the only f-block element), platinum, and gold.

Off the Beaten Track-A Hitchhiker's Guide to Beryllium Chemistry

This Minireview aims to give an introduction to beryllium chemistry for all less-experienced scientists in this field of research. Up to date information on the toxicity of beryllium and its compounds are reviewed and several basic and necessary guidelines for a safe and proper handling in modern chemical research laboratories are presented. Interesting phenomenological observations are described that are related directly to the uniqueness of this element, which are also put into historical context. Herein we combine the contributions and experiences of many scientist that work passionately in this field. We want to encourage fellow scientists to reconcile the long-standing reservations about beryllium and its compounds and motivate intense research on this spurned element. Who on earth should be able to deal with beryllium and its compounds if not chemists?

Recent developments in the field of organic heterobimetallic compounds of the alkaline-earth metals

Heterobimetallic compounds of the alkaline-earth metals show a wide structural variety with strongly differing reactivity patterns. The combination of magnesium and alkali metal amides yields cyclic molecules with an extreme high reactivity which often are considered as "inverse crowns" with the metal atoms as coordination sites for Lewis bases. In other metallates of the alkaline-earth metals an activation of alkyl groups succeeds. In alkaline-earth metal zincates an inverse coordination of the type M(2)[(mu-R)(2)ZnR](2) is observed and the alkyl groups are in bridging positions between zinc and the s-block metals thus forming a very reactive M-C-Zn three-center-two-electron bond. Furthermore, the metals of the carbon group form alkaline-earth metal-silicon, -germanium and -tin bonds or, in the presence of very strong Lewis bases, even solvent-separated ion pairs. For electronegative substituents at tin an inverse coordination mode such as M[(mu-R)(2)SnR](2) is observed.

The quest for beryllium peroxides

There is no experimental proof documented in the literature for the existence of any beryllium peroxide compound. All recent pertinent preparative attempts described in this work, using a range of beryllium salts with various peroxides as reagents under mild conditions, were equally unsuccessful. (1)H and (9)Be NMR investigations of aqueous solutions containing beryllium salts and hydrogen peroxide in a broad pH range also gave no definite evidence for the presence of peroxoberyllates as components of the manifold equilibria in such solutions. Quantum chemical calculations have therefore been carried out to delineate the energetics and structures of various beryllium peroxide model compounds. Standard Hartree-Fock and density functional methods were employed at various levels of sophistication. The series of prototypes considered consists of [BeOH](+), Be(OH)(2), Be(OH)(OOH), Be(OOH)(2), [Be(O(2))(2)](2-), [BeO(2)(OH(2))(2)], and [Be(2)(O(2))(2)(OH(2))(4)] (all in the gas phase). Surprisingly, the triatomic cation [BeOH](+) has been found to have a linear structure. All the Be-O(peroxide) bonds are found to be rather long, suggesting weaker bonding compared to the Be-O bonds in aquo, hydroxo, or oxo complexes. Hydrogen peroxide or anions derived therefrom are therefore not able to compete successfully with water (hydroxide anions) in aqueous solution. In the mononuclear beryllium peroxide molecules, the peroxide groups form chelating units at tetrahedrally 4-coordinate metal atoms. The binuclear compound [Be(2)(O(2))(2)(OH(2))(4)] has a puckered six-membered-ring structure, close to the standard chair conformation. A significant lengthening of the O-O bonds upon coordination to the Be(2+) centers has been calculated, but it is unlikely that the polarization of the peroxide group by the high positive charge density at Be(2+) is significant to cause an intrinsic instability of beryllium peroxides. All structures represent distinct local minima on the potential energy surface and are predicted to be (meta)stable species in nonaqueous media. The field of aluminum peroxides is a similar gray area on the map of metal and metalloid peroxides and is reminiscent of the well-established "diagonal-relation" of Be and Al in the periodic table of the elements.

[(Ethylenediamine)Pt(uracilate)](4), a Metal Analogue of Calix[4]arene. Coordination and Anion Host-Guest Chemistry Related to Its Conformational Dynamics

The open "molecular box" [(en)Pt(UH-N(1),N(3))](4)(NO(3))(4) (with en = 1,2-diaminoethane, UH = uracil monoanion) resembles calix[4]arenes in its structure and solution dynamics. It adopts a 1,3-alternate conformation in the solid-state (1a), but in solution and after deprotonation to [(en)Pt(U-N(1),N(3))](4), a second major species (cone conformer (1b-4H(+))) occurs. 1b-4H(+) acts as an efficient ligand for additional metal ions through the oxo-surface formed by the four O(2) exocyclic atoms of the uracil nucleobases. As shown here, 1b-4H(+) can incorporate a single metal ion only, giving rise to the formation of species of type {[(en)PtU](4)M}(X)(n)() with M = Zn(II) (2a), Be(II) (3) (not isolated in the solid state), and La(III) (4); X = NO(3), SO(4)/2; n = 2, 3. In addition, both the protonated species of the cone conformer (1b, pH 2-4) and compounds 2a (at pH 3-8) and 3 (at pH 3-5) act as hosts for organic anions in water, as deduced from (1)H NMR studies. It is proposed that the cone conformers act as anion hosts due to a combination of positive charge as well as apolarity and size of the cavity. Host-guest complexes of type {[(en)PtU](4)Zn}(X)(NO(3),SO(4)/2) with X = p-toluenesulfonate (2b) and 3-(trismethylsilyl)-1-propanesulfonate (2c) included in the cone cavity have been prepared and association constants have been determined by (1)H NMR spectroscopy. The fact that 4 does not act as a host may be due to a possible tetradentate coordination of La to 1b-4H(+) which may result in a flatter cone cavity than in compounds 2 and 3.

Syntheses and Structures of [(THF)(n)()M{(NSiMe(3))(2)PPh(2)}(2)] Complexes (M = Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba; n = 0-2): Deviation of Alkaline Earth Metal Cations from the Plane of an Anionic Ligand

The syntheses and solid-state structures of [(THF)(n)()M{(NSiMe(3))(2)PPh(2)}(2)] (M = Be, n = 0, 1; M = Mg, n = 0, 2; M = Ca, n = 1, 3; M = Sr, n = 2, 4; M = Ba, n = 2, 5) are presented. Comparison of the geometric parameters within the homologous series and to related systems uncovers the dication-induced alterations of coordination to, as well as bonding within, the anionic fragment. The coordination number increases from 4 (Be, Mg) via 5 (Ca) to 6 (Sr, Ba). Two of the Ph(2)P(Me(3)SiN)(2) anions cover the coordination sphere of beryllium and magnesium, while with calcium one single THF molecule and with strontium and barium two additional THF molecules are required to complete the metal coordination sphere. Against steric considerations the two THF molecules in 4 and 5 are coordinated to the same hemisphere of the metal leaving the two anions cisoid. Even against sterical strain the alkaline earth metals leave the plane of one of the Ph(2)P(Me(3)SiN)(2) anions with increasing mass demonstrating the preference of Sr and Ba to interact with pi electron density. This effect can also be found in related systems. It might be small and counterbalanced by steric requirements, but it is significant. The metal pi interaction rises continually with the mass of the metal and decreasing bulk of the anion but is independent from cisoid or transoid arrangement of the anions. From the homologous series of complexes presented three structure determining factors can be deduced: (i) dicationic size; (ii) bent X-M-X (M = Sr, Ba) arrangement; (iii) increasing pi interaction with increasing mass of the alkaline earth metal cation.