Beryllium-associated diseases from a chemist’s point of view

Abstract

Beryllium has long been considered the most toxic non-radioactive element to humans. However, it is shown that the acute toxicity of beryllium ions does not exceed that of other toxic cations like Cd2+, Ba2+, Hg2+ or As3+. The physiological mechanisms liable for the development of beryllium-associated diseases are discussed. Additionally an overview over proposed low-molecular model system for the beryllium species responsible for beryllioses is presented.

Behavior of Lewis Bases toward Diphenylberyllium

“…Like in [(SMe 2 ) 2 BePh 2 ] the beryllium atom is coordinated in a pseudo tetrahedral fashion by two phenyl and two pyridine ligands. The N−Be−N angle is with 102.0(2)°slightly smaller than in [(Py) 2 BeCl 2 ] (105.2(3)°), 36 [(Py) 2 Be(CN) 2 ] (104.7(2)°), 47 or [(Py) 2 Be(NCS) 2 ] (108.8(2)°) 48 and [(Py) 4 Be] 2+ (103.5(6)−113.33(7)°). 49,50 This is probably caused by the (1.778(4)−1.779(4) Å).…”

“…Beryllium and its compounds are regarded as toxic and carcinogenic. As the biochemical mechanisms that cause beryllium-associated diseases are still unknown, , special (safety) precautions are strongly advised. Furthermore, open work with beryllium compounds should only be conducted in designated laboratories.…”

“…In contrast to the ubiquity of organomagnesium reagents, organoberyllium chemistry is relatively unexplored due, at least in part, to the perceived toxicity of this element. − Indeed, although organoberyllium complexes were prepared as early as the 1920s, − the field has subsequently been relatively devoid of methodical, fundamental beryllium research. Recently, there has been renewed interest in the organometallic chemistry of beryllium, driven by a desire to understand the biotoxicity mechanisms of this element and exploit its unique electronic properties for chemical transformations. − Within the past five years, the first compounds containing formally zero- and monovalent beryllium centers, in addition to the first BeC and BeN bonds have all been reported. − …”

A Second Modification of Beryllium Bromide: β-BeBr2

“…2,3 However, there are serious health hazards associated with beryllium and its compounds. 4 This is the reason why there is little systematic knowledge on this element's chemistry.…”

“…Owing to the highest electronegativity among the s-block metals, the chemistry of beryllium is more diverse than of the other alkaline-earth or alkali metals. Furthermore, beryllium coordination chemistry is unique because Be 2+ is by far the smallest metal ion. , However, there are serious health hazards associated with beryllium and its compounds . This is the reason why there is little systematic knowledge on this element’s chemistry.…”