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.