Off topic: Beryllium chloride

From: Peter Hsu
Date: 4 October 2011 00:35


Sorry for the very off topic and dumb question, but does anyone know if BeCl2 needs to be prepared fresh for use (making BeF3) or can it be stored as a solution stock at room temperature/frozen?

Thanks,
Peter

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From: Partha Chakrabarti

Hi Peter,

 

Both BeF3(-) and AlF4(-) need to be made fresh, or used from frozen. It should not be stored at room temperature. While using, you may wish to keep it on ice. If you are using Vanadate, that should be fresh (Methods in Enzymology).

 

Also kindly note that unlike AlF4(-), which is a single species; BeF3(-) is a mixture of BeF3.(H2O)-, BeF2(OH)- etc. It can make a difference in kinetics of binding (usually a two step binding is observed). Look at old ATPase and GTPase papers such as:

 

Characterization of the aluminum and beryllium fluoride species which activate transducin. Analysis of the binding and dissociation kinetics.

Antonny B, Chabre M.

J Biol Chem. 1992 Apr 5;267(10):6710-8.

PMID: 1551879

Cheers,

Partha

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From: chen c


Beryllium chloride is very toxic. More care is needed when preparing it.