Preparation and Crystal Structure of Na₂[Be(o‐C₆H₄O₂)₂] · 5 H₂O

Crystalline Na₂[Be(o‐C₆H₄O₂)₂] · 5 H₂O was prepared from beryllium hydroxide and a strongly alkaline aqueous solution of catechol. In an X–ray structure determination the complex was shown to feature dianions [Be(o‐C₆H₄O₂)₂]^2‐ with two chelating catechol ligands. The ⁹Be–NMR spectrum of an aqueous solution of the compound shows a singlet at δ  7.5. This signal is shifted considerably from the Be_aq²⁺ reference and indicates persistence of the complexation of the metal ion by the catecholate ligands in alkaline aqueous solution. This result is important in the light of the ubiquitous availability of phenolic groups in many biomolecules, such as e.g. catecholamines.