Compare the Difference Between Similar Terms

Difference Between

Home / Science & Nature / Science / Chemistry / Inorganic Chemistry / Difference Between BeH2 and CaH2 Structure

Difference Between BeH2 and CaH2 Structure

July 30, 2020 Posted by Madhu

The key difference between BeH2 and CaH2 structure is that BeH2 has covalent chemical bonds while CaH2 contains ionic interactions between atoms.

BeH2 (beryllium hydride) and CaH2 (calcium hydride) are inorganic compounds. Both these are hydride compounds having hydrogen atoms in combination with beryllium and calcium atoms, respectively. They have different structures and geometries due to the differences in electron density of each compound.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is BeH2 Structure
3. What is CaH2 Structure
4. Side by Side Comparison – BeH2 vs CaH2 Structure in Tabular Form
5. Summary

What is BeH2 Structure?

BeH2 is beryllium hydride. A single beryllium hydride molecule has a linear geometry because the beryllium atom is a group 2 atom having only two valence electrons. Both these electrons combine with the unpaired electrons of two hydrogen atoms when forming the BeH2 molecule. Since there are no other bonds or lone electron pairs in the beryllium atom, the molecule becomes linear, minimizing the steric hindrance and the repulsion between two Be-H bonds.

Difference Between BeH2 and CaH2 Structure

Figure 01: Beryllium Hydride Structure

However, BeH2 substance is an inorganic compound, having the chemical formula (BeH2)n. And, it occurs as a colourless solid that is insoluble in solvents if the solvent cannot decompose the material. In this substance, the hydrogen atoms are bonded to the beryllium atom through covalent bonding. This is an exception from other group 2 elements because those chemical elements form hydrides which are ionic compounds.

When considering the solid BeH2, it is an amorphous white solid having the hexagonal crystalline structure with a high density. This structure is reported to have a body-centred orthorhombic unit cell in a network of the corner, sharing BeH4 tetrahedra.

Although group 2 elements expect beryllium react with hydrogen, beryllium shows no reaction. Therefore, it is not easy to prepare this compound. We can prepare BeH2 via treating dimethylberyllium with lithium aluminium hydride. Also, pure BeH2 forms via the pyrolysis of di-tert-butylberyllium at a high temperature.

What is CaH2 Structure?

CaH2 is calcium hydride. It is an ionic compound and an alkaline earth hydride containing hydrogen atoms combined with calcium atoms. It appears as a grey-white powder that can rapidly react with water, giving hydrogen gas. Therefore, we can use this compound mainly as a drying agent for desiccation purposes. We can prepare CaH2 via the direct treatment of calcium with hydrogen gas at about 300 to 400 Celsius temperature.

Key Difference - BeH2 vs CaH2 Structure

Figure 02: Calcium Hydride Structure

CaH2 is useful as a reducing agent for the production of metals from their oxides. The metals that we can produce using this method include Ti (titanium), V (Vanadium), Nb (Niobium), Ta (Tantalum), and U (Uranium). Furthermore, this compound is useful in the production of hydrogen gas. Here, CaH2 is decomposed into Ca metal where it releases the hydrogen gas. In addition, this compound can be used as a desiccant as well.

What is the Difference Between BeH2 and CaH2 Structure?

BeH2 and CaH2 are inorganic compounds. They are hydrides containing hydrogen atoms as the electron acceptors. BeH2 is beryllium hydride while CaH2 is calcium hydride. The key difference between BeH2 and CaH2 structure is that BeH2 has covalent chemical bonds while CaH2 contains ionic interactions between atoms. Moreover, BeH2 is a covalent compound while CaH2 is an ionic compound.

Below is a side by side comparison of the difference between BeH2 and CaH2 structure.

Difference Between BeH2 and CaH2 Structure in Tabular Form

Summary – BeH2 vs CaH2 Structure

BeH2 is beryllium hydride while CaH2 is calcium hydride. They are hydrides containing hydrogen atoms as the electron acceptors. The key difference between BeH2 and CaH2 structure is that BeH2 has covalent chemical bonds while CaH2 contains ionic interactions between atoms.

Reference:

1. Beryllium hydride. (2020, June 20). Retrieved July 28, 2020, Available here.
2. Calcium hydride. (2020, June 25). Retrieved July 28, 2020, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Beryllium-hydride-3D-balls” By Ben Mills – Own work, Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Calcium Hydride (CaH2)” By Xhmikos.Original uploader was Xhmikos at el.wikipedia – Own work by Xhmikos. Transferred from el.wikipedia; transferred to Commons by User: Ferengi using CommonsHelper. (Original text: Ιδιωτικό έργο) (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia

Related posts:

Key Difference Between Oxygen and Carbon DioxideDifference Between Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide Difference Between Tris and Tris BaseDifference Between Tris and Tris Base Difference Between Chalcophile and Siderophile ElementsDifference Between Chalcophile and Siderophile Elements Difference Between Bleach and DisinfectantDifference Between Bleach and Disinfectant Difference Between Thixotropic and Rheopectic Fluids

Filed Under: Inorganic Chemistry

About the Author: Madhu

Madhu is a graduate in Biological Sciences with BSc (Honours) Degree and currently persuing a Masters Degree in Industrial and Environmental Chemistry. With a mind rooted firmly to basic principals of chemistry and passion for ever evolving field of industrial chemistry, she is keenly interested to be a true companion for those who seek knowledge in the subject of chemistry.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Request Article

Featured Posts

Difference Between Coronavirus and Cold Symptoms

Difference Between Coronavirus and Cold Symptoms

Difference Between Coronavirus and SARS

Difference Between Coronavirus and SARS

Difference Between Coronavirus and Influenza

Difference Between Coronavirus and Influenza

Difference Between Coronavirus and Covid 19

Difference Between Coronavirus and Covid 19

You May Like

Difference Between Partnership and Co-Ownership

Difference Between Partnership and Co-Ownership

Difference Between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders

Difference Between Measles and Roseola

Difference Between Measles and Roseola

Difference Between Amine and Amino Acid

Difference Between Amine and Amino Acid

Difference Between dB and dBm

Latest Posts

  • What is the Difference Between Zakat and Sadaqah
  • What is the Difference Between Papules and Pustules
  • What is the Difference Between Ubiquinol and CoQ10
  • What is the Difference Between Ubiquinone and Plastoquinone
  • What is the Difference Between Heliophytes and Sciophytes
  • What is the Difference Between Alpha Arbutin and Vitamin C
  • Home
  • Vacancies
  • About
  • Request Article
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2010-2018 Difference Between. All rights reserved. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy: Legal.