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 Be-9-NMR spectrum of an aqueous solution of the compound shows a singlet at delta = 7.5. This signal is shifted considerably from the Be(aq)2+ 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.