Record Information
Version1.0
Creation Date2009-03-21 01:21:38 UTC
Update Date2016-11-09 01:08:19 UTC
Accession NumberCHEM000577
Identification
Common NameBeryllium oxide
ClassSmall Molecule
DescriptionBeryllium oxide is an oxide of beryllium that occurs in nature as the mineral bromellite. It is an electrical insulator and is used in rocket engines, catalysts, semiconductors, moderators of atomic reactors, and neutron reflectors. Beryllium is a lightweight alkaline earth metal with the atomic number 4. It is a relatively rare element found naturally only combined with other elements in minerals. (3, 5)
Contaminant Sources
  • HPV EPA Chemicals
  • IARC Carcinogens Group 1
  • T3DB toxins
Contaminant Type
  • Beryllium Compound
  • Industrial/Workplace Toxin
  • Inorganic Compound
  • Natural Compound
  • Pollutant
Chemical Structure
Thumb
Synonyms
ValueSource
Beryllium hydric acidGenerator
Chemical FormulaBeH2O
Average Molecular Mass27.027 g/mol
Monoisotopic Mass27.023 g/mol
CAS Registry Number1304-56-9
IUPAC Nameberyllium hydrate
Traditional Nameberyllium hydrate
SMILES[Be].O
InChI IdentifierInChI=1S/Be.H2O/h;1H2
InChI KeyTXAYEAQZAOMPSR-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Chemical Taxonomy
Description belongs to the class of inorganic compounds known as alkaline earth metal oxides. These are inorganic compounds containing an oxygen atom of an oxidation state of -2, in which the heaviest atom bonded to the oxygen is an alkaline earth metal.
KingdomInorganic compounds
Super ClassMixed metal/non-metal compounds
ClassAlkaline earth metal organides
Sub ClassAlkaline earth metal oxides
Direct ParentAlkaline earth metal oxides
Alternative Parents
Substituents
  • Alkaline earth metal oxide
  • Inorganic oxide
Molecular FrameworkNot Available
External DescriptorsNot Available
Biological Properties
StatusDetected and Not Quantified
OriginExogenous
Cellular Locations
  • Cytoplasm
  • Extracellular
Biofluid LocationsNot Available
Tissue LocationsNot Available
PathwaysNot Available
ApplicationsNot Available
Biological Roles
Chemical RolesNot Available
Physical Properties
StateSolid
AppearanceWhite powder.
Experimental Properties
PropertyValue
Melting PointNot Available
Boiling PointNot Available
SolubilityNot Available
Predicted Properties
PropertyValueSource
logP0ChemAxon
Physiological Charge0ChemAxon
Hydrogen Acceptor Count0ChemAxon
Hydrogen Donor Count0ChemAxon
Polar Surface Area0 ŲChemAxon
Rotatable Bond Count0ChemAxon
Refractivity0 m³·mol⁻¹ChemAxon
Polarizability1.78 ųChemAxon
Number of Rings0ChemAxon
Bioavailability1ChemAxon
Rule of FiveYesChemAxon
Ghose FilterNoChemAxon
Veber's RuleYesChemAxon
MDDR-like RuleNoChemAxon
Spectra
Spectra
Spectrum TypeDescriptionSplash KeyView
Predicted LC-MS/MSPredicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 10V, Positivesplash10-001i-9000000000-ae9a1b9eb5445ac918efSpectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MSPredicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 20V, Positivesplash10-001i-9000000000-ae9a1b9eb5445ac918efSpectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MSPredicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 40V, Positivesplash10-001i-9000000000-ae9a1b9eb5445ac918efSpectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MSPredicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 10V, Negativesplash10-004i-9000000000-dad4c953ab38eb80adaaSpectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MSPredicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 20V, Negativesplash10-004i-9000000000-dad4c953ab38eb80adaaSpectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MSPredicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 40V, Negativesplash10-004i-9000000000-dad4c953ab38eb80adaaSpectrum
Toxicity Profile
Route of ExposureInhalation (3)
Mechanism of ToxicityOnce in the body, beryllium acts as a hapten and interacts with human leucocyte antigen (HLA) DP presenting cells in the lungs, becoming physically associated with a major histocompatability (MHC) class II molecule. This MHC class II-beryllium-peptide complex is recognized by the T lymphocyte receptor, triggering CD4+ T lymphocyte activation and proliferation. The resulting inflammatory response is a cell-mediated process orchestrated by cytokines and results in the formation of (usually pulmonary) granulomas. Beryllium's toxicity may be controlled by the iron-storage protein ferritin, which sequesters beryllium by binding it and preventing it from interacting with other enzymes. (4, 1, 2)
MetabolismBeryllium is absorbed mainly through the lungs, where it enters the bloodstream and is transported throughout the body by binding to prealbumins and gamma-globulins. Beryllium accumulates in lung tissue and the skeleton. It is excreted mainly in the urine. (4)
Toxicity ValuesLD50: 0.5 mg (Oral, Rat) (8) LD50: 40-75 mg/m3 (Chronic Inhalation, Rabbit) (8) LD50: 100 ug/m3 (Acute Inhalation, Rat) (8)
Lethal DoseNot Available
Carcinogenicity (IARC Classification)1, carcinogenic to humans. (7)
Uses/SourcesBeryllium oxide is an electrical insulator and is used in rocket engines, catalysts, semiconductors, moderators of atomic reactors, and neutron reflectors. (5)
Minimum Risk LevelChronic Oral: 0.002 mg/kg/day (6)
Health EffectsAcute inhalation of a high level of beryllium can result in a pneumonia-like condition called acute beryllium disease. Chronic inhalation of beryllium can cause an inflammatory reaction in the respiratory system called chronic beryllium disease. Chronic beryllium disease may result in anorexia and weight loss, as well as right side heart enlargement and heart disease in advanced cases. Chronic exposure can also increase the risk of lung cancer. Skin contact with beryllium results in contact dermatitus. (3, 4)
SymptomsChronic beryllium disease causes fatigue, weakness, difficulty breathing, and a persistent dry cough. (3, 4)
TreatmentChronic beryllium disease is treated with immunosuppressive medicines, usually of the glucocorticoid class. (3)
Concentrations
Not Available
DrugBank IDNot Available
HMDB IDNot Available
FooDB IDNot Available
Phenol Explorer IDNot Available
KNApSAcK IDNot Available
BiGG IDNot Available
BioCyc IDNot Available
METLIN IDNot Available
PDB IDNot Available
Wikipedia LinkNot Available
Chemspider IDNot Available
ChEBI IDNot Available
PubChem Compound ID57481449
Kegg Compound IDNot Available
YMDB IDNot Available
ECMDB IDNot Available
References
Synthesis ReferenceNot Available
MSDSNot Available
General ReferencesNot Available