Synthesis and Derivatives of Beryllium Triflate

Various pathways for the synthesis of beryllium triflate were investigated. The reaction of triflic acid or trimethylsilyl triflate with beryllium metal in liquid ammonia led to the formation of mono-, di-, and tetra-nuclear beryllium ammine complexes. Utilization of SMe₂ as a solvent gave homoleptic Be(OTf)₂. Various beryllium triflate complexes with N- and O-donor ligands as well as the complex anions [Be(OTf)₄]^2- and [Be₂(OTf)₆]^2- were synthesized to evaluate the reactivity and solution properties of beryllium triflate. This showed that OTf^- is not a weakly coordinating anion for Be²⁺ cations and that it exhibits good bridging properties.