The dissolution of beryllia in molten alkali metal hydroxides

Abstract

Beryllium oxide shows a limited reversible solubility in molten alkali-metal hydroxides only when dissolved water vapour is present. The reaction taking place has been studied in detail. The results obtained are consistent with the reversible formation of the beryllate ion [Be(OH)₄]^2- as the major product, according to the overall equation BeO(solid) + H₂O(dissolved) + 2OH^- ↔ [Be(OH)₄]^2-(dissolved) The enthalpy of the reaction has been calculated to be 4.8 kcal/mole over the temperature range 240-510°.