Beryllium

Name:Beryllium
Symbol:Be
Atomic Number :4
Atomic Mass:9.012182
Density:4.85 g/cm^3
Melting Point:1287 °C
Boiling Point:2469 °C
Group Number:2
Group Name:Alkaline Earth Metals
Standard State:Solid at room temperature
Color:lead Grey
Classification:Metallic
Availability:beryllium is available in several forms including foil, lump, and powder.
Beryllium is a Group 2 element. At ordinary temperatures, beryllium resists oxidation in air. Its ability to scratch glass is probably due to the formation of a thin layer of the oxide. Aquamarine and emerald are precious forms of the mineral beryl, [Be₃Al₂(SiO₃)₆].

Isolation
Beryllium metal is available commercially and so would never normally be made in the laboratory. Its extraction from ores is complex. The mineral beryl, [Be₃Al₂(SiO₃)₆] is the most important source of beryllium. It is roasted with sodium hexafluorosilicate, Na₂SiF₆, at 700°C to form beryllium fluoride. This is water soluble and the beryllium may be precipitated as the hydroxide Be(OH)₂ by adjustment of the pH to 12.

Pure beryllium may be obtained by electrolysis of molten BeCl₂ containing some NaCl. The salt is added since the molten BeCl₂ conducts very poorly. Another method involves the reduction of beryllium fluoride with magnesium at 1300°C.

BeF₂ + Mg → MgF₂ + Be