Synthesis and spectroscopic characterization of beryllium azide and two derivatives

Beryllium azide (1) has been synthesized by the reaction of beryllium chlor ide with neat trimethylsilyl azide. Be(THF)(2)(N-3)(2) (2) and Be(py)(2)(N- 3)(2) (3) (py = pyridine) have been prepared by reacting beryllium chloride with trimethylsilyl azide in the respective solvent. These compounds have been characterized by Raman, IR and multinuclear MMR spectroscopy. Their de composition has also been investigated. 1 probably forms endless chains, wh ere the beryllium atom is tetrahedrally coordinated through end-on, bridgin g azide ligands. The empirical formula is Be(N-3)(2). 2 and 3 have a monome ric structure. All prepared compounds form structures with the highest poss ible coordination number of 4 for the beryllium-atom.