Beryllium selenate tetrahydrate.

Description

Beryllium selenate has the molecular formula of BeSeO4 and the molecular weight of 224.0354 g/mol. Its density is 2.03 g/cm³. If prepared in solution, the formula is likely to be (BeOH)2SeO4·4H2O. Nevertheless, the literature persists in relating the compound produced as BeSeO4. The addition of beryllium carbonate and sodium carbonate to a selenic acid solution is sufficient to form the tetrahydrate:
BeCO3(solid)+ Na2CO3(solid)+H2SeO4(aq) ? (BeOH)2SeO4·4H2O(solid)+ 2NaOH(aq) + CO2(gas)
It is soluble in water and the solution must be evaporated to obtain the crystalline salt. Beryllium selenate tetrahydrate has the CAS number of 10039-31-3 and a molecular weight of 267.0582 g/mol. Its density is 2.032 g/cm³ and it is very soluble in water (49.6 g/ 100 ml at 20 °C).

Chemical properties

colorless, ortho-rhomb crystal(s) [CRC10] [MER06]