Preparation of base-free beryllium alkyls from trialkylboranes. Dineopentylberyllium, bis(trimethylsilylmethyl)beryllium, and an ethylberyllium hydride

Abstract

Di-n-propyl-, di-isobutyl-, dineopentyl-, and bis(trimethylsilylmethyl)-beryllium have been prepared by an exchange reaction between diethylberyllium and the appropriate organoboranes. Dineopentylberyllium is partly associated in benzene, whereas bis(trimethylsilylmethyl)beryllium is dimeric. The reaction between diethylberyllium and tri-s-butylborane yields an insoluble crystalline hydride Et₃Be₂H.