Chemistry: The Molecular Nature of Matter and Change 7th Edition

Published by McGraw-Hill Education
ISBN 10: 007351117X
ISBN 13: 978-0-07351-117-7

Chapter 14 - Problems - Page 610: 14.31

Answer

See explanation below.

Work Step by Step

Beryllium is generally the exception to properties exhibited by other alkaline earth elements. a) Here, Be does not behave like other alkaline earth metals: BeO(s) + H2O(l) →NR. The oxides of alkaline earth metals are strongly basic, but BeO is amphoteric. BeO will react with both acids and bases to form salts, but an amphoteric substance does not react with water. b) Here, Be does behave like other alkaline earth metals: BeCl2(l) + 2 Cl–(solvated) → BeCl42–(solvated) Each chloride ion donates a lone pair of electrons to form a covalent bond with the Be in BeCl2. Metal ions form similar covalent bonds with ions or molecules containing a lone pair of electrons. The difference in beryllium is that the orbital involved in the bonding is a p-orbital, whereas in metal ions it is usually the d-orbitals that are involved
Update this answer!

You can help us out by revising, improving and updating this answer.

Update this answer

After you claim an answer you’ll have 24 hours to send in a draft. An editor will review the submission and either publish your submission or provide feedback.