Noble‐Gas Complexes: Theoretical Investigation of Multicenter Polynuclear Species

Ab initio calculations at the MP2 level of theory disclose the conceivable existence of neutral complexes containing four or five distinct noble gases (Ng) each bound to a distinct Be‐atom. These multicenter polynuclear Ng molecules are formally obtained by replacing the H‐atoms of CH₄ and but‐2‐yne with ? NBeNg moieties, which behave as independent monovalent ‘functional groups’. Our investigated complexes include the five homotetranuclear [C(NBeNg)₄] complexes 1 – 5 (Ng=He? Xe), the five heterotetranuclear complexes [CN₄Be₄(He)(Ne)(Ar)(Kr)] ( 6 ), [CN₄Be₄(He)(Ne)(Ar)(Xe)] ( 7 ), [CN₄Be₄(He)(Ne)(Kr)(Xe)] ( 8 ), [CN₄Be₄(He)(Ar)(Kr)(Xe)] ( 9 ), and [CN₄Be₄(Ne)(Ar)(Kr)(Xe)] ( 10 ), and the heteropentanuclear complex [HC₄N₅Be₅(He)(Ne)(Ar)(Kr)(Xe)] ( 11 ). We also investigated the five model complexes [H₃CNBeNg] (Ng=He? Xe) containing a single ? NBeNg moiety. The geometries and vibrational frequencies of all these species, invariably characterized as minimum‐energy structures, were computed at the MP2(full)/6‐31G(d,p)/SDD level of theory, and their stability with respect to the loss of the various Ng‐atoms was evaluated by single‐point calculations at the MP2(full)/6‐311G(d)/SDD level of theory. The beryllium‐Ng binding energies range from ca. 17 (Ng=He) to ca. 63 (Ng=Xe) kJ/mol, and the results of natural‐bond‐orbital (NBO) and atoms‐in‐molecules (AIM) analysis reveal that the Be? Ng interaction is essentially electrostatic for helium, neon, argon, and krypton, and has probably a small covalent contribution for xenon.     

The Beryllium Pentamer: Trailing an Uneven Sequence of Dissociation Energies

Recent high‐resolution spectroscopic studies by Merritt, Bondybey, and Heaven (Science 2009 , 324, 1548) have heightened the anticipation that small beryllium clusters will soon be observed in the laboratory. Beryllium clusters are important discrete models for the theoretical study of metals. The trigonal bipyramidal Be₅ molecule is studied using high‐level coupled cluster methods. We obtain the optimized geometry, atomization and dissociation energies, and vibrational frequencies. The c～CCSDT(Q) method is employed to compute the atomization and dissociation energies. In this approach, complete basis set (CBS) extrapolations at the CCSD(T) level of theory are combined with an additive correction for the effect of iterative triple and perturbative quadruple excitations. Harmonic vibrational frequencies are obtained using analytic gradients computed at the CCSD(T) level of theory. We report an atomization energy of 129.6 kcal mol^?1 at the trigonal bipyramid global minimum geometry. The Be₅→Be₄+Be dissociation energy is predicted to be 39.5 kcal mol^?1. The analogous dissociation energies for the smaller beryllium clusters are 64.0 kcal mol^?1 (Be₄→Be₃+Be), 24.2 kcal mol^?1 (Be₃→Be₂+Be), and 2.7 kcal mol^?1 (Be₂→Be+Be). The trigonal bipyramidal Be₅ structure has an equatorial–equatorial bond length of 2.000 Å and an axial–equatorial distance of 2.060 Å. Harmonic frequencies of 730, 611, 456, 583, 488, and 338 cm^?1 are obtained at the CCSD(T)/cc‐pCVQZ level of theory. Quadruple excitations are found to make noticeable contributions to the energetics of the pentamer, which exhibits a significant level of static correlation.     

Structure and Stability of (NG)nCN3Be3+ Clusters and Comparison with (NG)BeY0/+

The noble gas binding ability of CN₃Be₃⁺ clusters was assessed both by ab intio and density functional studies. The global minimum structure of the CN₃Be₃⁺ cluster binds with four noble‐gas (NG) atoms, in which the Be atoms are acting as active centers. The electron transfer from the noble gas to the Be atom plays a key role in binding. The dissociation energy of the Be? NG bond gradually increases from He to Rn, maintaining the periodic trend. The HOMO–LUMO gap, an indicator for stability, gives additional insight into these NG‐bound clusters. The temperature at which the NG‐binding process is thermodynamically feasible was identified. In addition, we investigated the stability of two new neutral NG compounds, (NG)BeSe and (NG)BeTe, and found them to be suitable candidates to be detected experimentally such as (NG)BeO and (NG)BeS. The dissociation energies of the Be? NG bond in monocationic analogues of (NG)BeY (Y=O, S, Se, Te) were found to be larger than in the corresponding neutral counter‐parts. Finally, the higher the positive charge on the Be atoms, the higher the dissociation energy for the Be? NG bond becomes.     

[Be3(μ3‐O)3(MeCN)6{Be(MeCN)3}3](I)6 – ein Berylliumkomplex mit Cyclo‐(Be3O3)‐Kern und sein Hydrolyseprodukt [Be(H2O)4](I)2·2MeCN

Single crystals of [Be₃(μ₃‐O)₃(MeCN)₆{Be(MeCN)₃}₃](I)₆·4CH₃CN ( 1 ·4CH₃CN) were obtained in low yield by the reaction of beryllium powder with iodine in acetonitrile suspension, which probably result from traces of beryllium oxide containing the applied beryllium metal. The compound 1 ·4CH₃CN forms moisture sensitive, colourless crystal needles, which were characterized by IR spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction (Space group Pnma, Z = 4, lattice dimensions at 100(2) K: a = 2317.4(1), b = 2491.4(1), c = 1190.6(1) pm, R₁ = 0.0315). The hexaiodide complex cation 1 ⁶⁺consists of a cyclo‐Be₃O₃ core with slightly distorted chair conformation, stabilized by coordination of two acetonitrile ligands at each of the beryllium atoms and by a {Be(CH₃CN)₃}²⁺ cation at each of the oxygen atoms. This unique coordination behaviour results in coplanar OBe₃ units with short Be–O distances of 155.0 pm and 153.6 pm on average of bond lengths within the cyclo‐Be₃O₃ unit and of the peripheric BeO bonds, respectively. Exposure of compound 1 ·4CH₃CN to moist air leads to small orange crystal plates of [Be(H₂O)₄]I₂·2CH₃CN ( 3 ·2CH₃CN). According to the crystal structure determination (Space group C2/c, Z = 4, lattice dimensions at 100(2) K: a = 1220.7(1), b = 735.0(1), c = 1608.5(1) pm, β = 97.97(1)°, R₁ = 0.0394), all hydrogen atoms of the dication [Be(H₂O)₄]²⁺ are involved to form O–H ··· N and O–H ··· I hydrogen bonds with the acetonitrile molecules and the iodide ions, respectively. Quantum chemical calculations (B3LYP/6‐311+G**) at the model [Be₃(μ₃‐O)₃(HCN)₆{Be(HCN)₃}₃]⁶⁺ show that chair and boat conformation are stable and that the distorted chair conformation is stabilized by packing effects.     

Novel Barium Beryllates Ba[Be2N2] and Ba3[Be5O8]: Syntheses,Crystal Structures and Bonding Properties

Ba[Be₂N₂] was prepared as a yellow‐green microcrystalline powder by reaction of Ba₂N with Be₃N₂ under nitrogen atmosphere. The crystal structure Rietfeld refinements (space group I4/mcm, a = 566.46(5) pm, c = 839.42(9) pm, R_int = 4.73 %, R_prof = 9.16 %) reveal the compound to crystallize as an isotype of the nitridoberyllates A[Be₂N₂] (A = Ca, Sr) consisting of planar 4.8² nets of mutually trigonal planar coordinated Be and N species. Averaged magnetic susceptibility values for the anion [(Be₂N₂)^2?] determined from measurements on A[Be₂N₂] with A = Mg, Ca, Ba allow to derive a diamagnetic increment for N^3? χ_dia = (?13±1stat.) · 10^?6emu mol^?1. Colorless Ba₃[Be₅O₈] was first obtained as an oxidation product of Ba[Be₂N₂] in air. The crystal structure was solved and refined from single crystal X‐ray diffaction data (space group Pnma, a = 942.9(1) pm, b = 1163.47(7) pm, c = 742.1(1) pm, R1 = 2.99 %, wR2 = 7.15 %) and contains infinite rods of Be in trigonal planar, tetrahedral and 3 + 1 coordination by O. The crystal structure is discussed in context with other known oxoberyllates. Electronic structure calculations and electron localization function diagrams for both compounds support the classification as nitrido‐ and oxoberyllate, respectively.     

Beryllepin,C6H6Be,and “Beryllium‐Inserted Benzenes,” C6H6Ben,n = 2–6: A Density Functional Computational Investigation

The seven‐membered beryllium‐containing heterocycle beryllepin, C₆H₆Be, has been examined computationally at the B3LYP/6‐311++G** density functional level of theory. Beryllepin is best described as a planar singlet heterocyclic conjugated triene with marginal aromatic character containing a C–Be–C moiety forced to be nonlinear (∠C‐Be‐C = 146.25°) by the cyclic constraints of the seven‐membered ring. The molecule can be considered to be derived from a benzene‐like system in which a neutral beryllium atom has been inserted between two adjacent carbon atoms. The 11 other possible “beryllium‐inserted benzenes,” C₆H₆Be_n, n = 2–6, have also been investigated. Only two of these heterocyclic systems, the eight‐membered 1,4‐diberyllocin and the nine‐membered 1,4,7‐triberyllonin, were found to be stable, singlet‐ground‐state systems, albeit with little aromatic character. Of the remaining nine beryllium‐inserted benzenes, with the exception of the 11‐membered ring containing five beryllium atoms and the 12‐membered ring containing six beryllium atoms, which were calculated to exist as a ground state pentet and septet, respectively, all were calculated to be ground state triplet systems.     

Kristallstrukturen der iso‐Thiocyanatoberyllate (Ph4P)2[Be(NCS)4] und (Ph4P)4[{Be2(NCS)4(μ‐NCS)2}{Be2(NCS)6(μ‐H2N2C2S2)}]

Bis(tetraphenylphosphonium) hexachloridodiberyllate, (Ph₄P)₂[Be₂Cl₆], reacts with excess trimethylsilyl‐iso‐thiocyanate to give a mixture of colourless single crystals of (Ph₄P)₂[Be(NCS)₄] ( 1 ) and (Ph₄P)₄[{Be₂(NCS)₄(μ‐NCS)₂}{Be₂(NCS)₆(μ‐H₂N₂C₂S₂)}] ( 2 ), which can be separated by selection. Both complexes were characterized by X‐ray diffraction. Compound 1 can be prepared without by‐products by treatment of (Ph₄P)₂[BeCl₄] with excess Me₃SiNCS in dichloromethane solution. 1 : Space group I4₁/a, Z = 4, lattice dimensions at 100(2) K: a = b = 1091.2(1), c = 3937.1(3) pm, R₁ = 0.0474. The [Be(NCS)₄]^2– ion of 1 forms tetragonally distorted tetrahedral anions with Be–N distances of 168.4(2) pm and weak intermolecular S ··· S contacts along [100] and [010]. 2 ·4CH₂Cl₂: Space group P , Z = 1, lattice dimensions at 100(2) K: a = 919.5(1), b = 1248.3(1), c = 2707.0(2) pm, α = 101.61(1) °, β = 95.08(1) °, γ = 94.52(1) °, R₁ = 0.103. Compound 2 contains two different anionic complexes in the ratio 1:1. In {Be₂(NCS)₄(μ‐NCS)₂}^2–, the beryllium atoms are connected by (NCS)^– bridging groups forming centrosymmetric eight‐membered Be₂(NCS)₂ rings with distances Be–N of 168(1) pm and Be–S of 235.2(9) pm. The second anion {Be₂(NCS)₆(μ‐H₂N₂C₂S₂)}^2– consists of two {Be(NCS)₃}^– units, which are linked by the nitrogen atoms of the unique dimeric cyclo‐addition product of HNCS with Be–N distances of 179(1) pm.     

Die Kristallstruktur von [BeCl2(15‐Krone‐5)]

Crystal Structure of [BeCl₂(15‐Crown‐5)] Single crystals of [BeCl₂(15‐crown‐5)] ( 1 ) were obtained from dichloromethane solutions of BeCl₂ in the presence of the equivalent amount of 15‐crown‐5 and characterized by IR spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction. Space group P2₁/c, Z = 4, lattice dimensions at 100 K: a = 1036.2(1), b = 1071.1(1), c = 1360.1(1) pm, β = 109.86(1)°, R₁ = 0.0225. The structure determination shows no disorder, all hydrogen positions were refined isotropically. The results are in contrast to the previously reported crystal structure determination in the space group P2₁nb. The beryllium atom of 1 forms a BeO₂C₂ five‐membered heterocycle with terminal chlorine atoms to give a distorted tetrahedral coordination with distances Be–O 166.5(2), 169.9(2) pm, and Be–Cl 195.8(2), 197.8(2) pm. The structural results are in good agreement with DFT calculations on B3LYP/6‐311+G** level.     

Wellenmechanische Untersuchungen an der Wasserstoffbrücke zwischen zwei Berylliumatomen

The systems Be₂H⁺ and Be₂H^? have been investigated for different nuclear positions, the H atom being situated between the Be atoms, taking all electrons into account, using the Allgemeines Programmsystem/SCF –MO –LC (LCGO ) Verfahren. For Be₂H⁺ there results a minimum total energy of ?29.3824 a.u. in the linear symmetric configuration with a bond distance of 1.609 Å. The ionization energy was estimated to be 12.37 eV. The formation of Be₂H⁺ can be interpreted as an addition of Be to BeH⁺ with an exotherm heat of reaction of 7.0 kcal/mole. The electron affinity of BeH⁺ (ionization energy of BeH) was estimated to be approximately 7.24 eV. All force constants of Be₂H⁺ and BeH⁺ have been computed. Using SCF results, the Be₂H^? was found to be unstable.     

Searching new structures of beryllium-doped in small-sized magnesium clusters: Be2MgnQ (Q = 0, −1; n = 1–11) clusters DFT study

Using CALYPSO method to search new structures of neutral and anionic beryllium-doped magnesium clusters followed by density functional theory (DFT) calculations, an extensive study of the structures, electronic and spectral properties of Be₂Mg_n^Q (Q = 0, −1; n = 2–11) clusters is performed. Based on the structural optimization, it is found that the Be₂Mg_n^Q (Q = 0, −1) clusters are shown by tetrahedral-based geometries at n = 2–6 and tower-like-based geometries at n = 7–11. The calculations of stability indicate that Be₂Mg₅^Q=0, Be₂Mg₅^Q=−1, and Be₂Mg₈^Q=−1 clusters are “magic” clusters with high stability. The NCP shows that the charges are transferred from Mg atoms to Be atoms. The s- and p-orbitals interactions of Mg and Be atoms are main responsible for their NEC. In particular, chemical bond analysis including molecular orbitals (MOs) and chemical bonding composition for magic clusters to further study their stability. The results confirmed that the high stability of these clusters is due to the interactions between the Be atom and the Mg₅ or Mg₈ host. Finally, theoretical calculations of infrared and Raman spectra of the ground state of Be₂Mg_n^Q (Q = 0, −1; n = 1–11) clusters were performed, which will be absolutely useful for future experiments to identify these clusters.     

Synthesis and Structure Investigation of a Novel 3-Dimensional Potassium Supermolecular Compound Based on 2,4-Dinitro Resorcinol

A novel 3‐dimensional potassium supermolecular compound [K(HDNR)(H₂DNR)(H₂O)]_n (H₂DNR?2,4‐dinitro resorcinol) was synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis and FT‐IR spectroscopy. The crystal structure investigated by X‐ray single crystal diffraction shows that [K(HDNR)(H₂DNR)(H₂O)]_n crystallizes with a monoclinic unit cell in the space group P2(1)/c with unit cell dimensions of a=17.648(5) Å, b=12.527(3) Å, c=7.735(2) Å, β=94.33(2)°, V=1705.00(73) ų, Z=4. The structure was refined to the final R=0.0670 and wR=0.0722 for 2022 observed reflections with I>2σ(I). In the compound, potassium cation is assembled into one‐dimensional chains along c‐axis through oxygen atoms from water molecules, and the chains were connected by the bridged HDNR^? anions to form a two‐dimensional net structure. The two‐dimensional nets constructed a three‐dimensional supramolecular architecture via intermolecular hydrogen bonds and N–O···π interaction. Density functional theory (DFT) B3LYP was employed to optimize the structure and calculate energies for three tautomers of HDNR^? univalent anion. Three stable tautomers were located. It was found that the structure (I) with O(1) losing hydrogen atom is more stable than the structure (II) also with O(1) losing hydrogen atom and the structure (III) with O(4) losing hydrogen atom.     

Extended Koopmans' theorem ionization potentials for beryllium atom shake-up transitions

The ionization potentials were calculated for Be using the extended Koopmans' theorem (EKT ) using several full configuration interaction (CI ) and multiconfigurational-self-consistent-field (MCSCF ) wave functions as reference wave functions. The wave functions used account for 89.7–96.7% of the correlation energy. Comparisons are made with experimental values and with δCI values calculated as the difference in energy obtained from CI wave functions for Be and Be⁺. The best EKT IP differed from the δCI value by 0.0003 eV for the lowest IP and by 0.0006 eV for ionization into the lowest ²P state of Be⁺. A calculation of ionization into the second ²P state of Be⁺ requires diffuse orbitals that are unimportant in the wave function for the ground state of Be. This results in small natural orbital occupation numbers for natural orbitals needed in the EKT calculation. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Intrinsic point defects and electron-energetic characteristics of hexagonal monoxide of beryllium

Using the zone method of a linear combination of plane waves for the supercell model, there have been studied energy and electron states of beryllium monoxide BeO with intrinsic point defects: the vacancy in the sub-lattice of beryllium + interstitial atom of Be {V_Be + Be_i}. The most stable among the considered configurations of defects are the vacancies and interstitial atoms of beryllium Be _i ^o occupying octahedral positions at R(V_Be-Be _i ^o ) ～ 3.15–3.35 Å distances from each other. Depending on the configuration of defects, the forbidden gap of beryllium oxide can change by ～0.4–2.4eV.     

Structure and Stability of Endohedral Complexes X@（HBNH）12

Using quantum chemistry methods B3LYP/6-31＋＋G（d,p） to optimize endohedral complexes X@（HBNH）12 （X=Li^0/＋, Na^0/＋, K^0/＋, Be^0/2＋, Mg^0/2＋, Ca^0/2＋, H and He）, the geometries with the lowest energy were achieved. Inclusion energy, standard equilibrium constant, natural charge, spin density, ionization potentials, and HOMO-LUMO energy gap were also discussed. The calculation predicted that X=Na^0/＋, K^0/＋, Mg^0/2＋, Ca^0/2＋, H and He are nearly located at the center of （HBNH）12 cluster. Li^＋ lies in less than 0.021 nm departure from the center. Li and Be^0/2＋ dramatically deviate from the center. （HBNH）12 prefers to enclose Li^＋, Be^2＋, Mg^2＋, and Ca^2＋ in it than others. Moreover, M@（HBNH）12 （M=Li, Na, K） species are ＂superalkalis＂ in that they possess lower first ionization potentials than the Cs atom （3.9 eV）.     

Binary Compounds of Boron and Beryllium: A Rich Structural Arena with Space for Predictions

We explore ground‐state structures and stoichiometries of the Be? B system in the static limit, with Be atom concentrations of 20 % or greater, and from P=1 atm up to 320 GPa. At P=1 atm, predictions are offered for several known compounds, the structures of which have not yet been determined experimentally. Specifically, at 1 atm, we predict a structure of R$\bar 3$ m symmetry for the compound Be₂B₃, seen experimentally at high temperatures, which contains interesting BeBBBBe rods; and for the compound BeB₄ we calculate metastability with respect to the elements with a structure similar to MgB₄, which is quickly replaced as the pressure is elevated by a Cmcm structure that features 6‐ and 4‐membered rings in B cages, with Be interstitials. For another high‐temperature compound, Be₂B, we confirm the CaF₂ structure, but find a competitive and actually slightly more stable ground‐state structure of C2/m symmetry that features B₂ pairs. In the case of BeB₂, a material for which the stoichiometry has been the subject of debate, we have a clear prediction of a stable F$\bar 4$ 3m structure at P=1 atm. It has a diamondoid structure that is based on cubic (lower P) or hexagonal (higher P) diamond networks of B, but with Be in the interstices. This Zintl structure is a semiconductor at low and intermediate pressures. At higher pressures, BeB₂ dominates the phase diagram. In general, the Zintl–Klemm concept of effective electron transfer from the more electropositive ion and bond formation among the resulting anions has proven useful in analyzing the structural preferences of many compositions in the Be? B system at P=1 atm and at elevated pressures. An unusual feature of this binary system is that the 1:1 BeB stoichiometry never appears to reach stability in the static limit, although it comes close, as does Be₁₇B₁₂. Also stable at high pressures are stoichiometries BeB₃, BeB₄, and Be₅B₂.     

基态PuOH分子的多体展式分析势能函数

Using the density functional method B3LYP with relativistic effective core potential(RECP)for Pu atom,thelow-lying excited states(~4Σ~ ,~6Σ~ ,~8Σ~ )for three structures of PuOH molecule were optimized.The results showthat the ground state is X~6Σ~ of the linear Pu-O-H(C_(∞v)),its corresponding equilibrium geometry and dissociationenergy are R_(Pu-O)=0.20595 nm,R_(O-H)=0.09581 nm and —8.68 eV,respectively.At the same time,two other me-tastable structures [PuOH(C_s)and H-Pu-O(C_(∞v)] were found.The analytical potential energy function has alsobeen derived for whole range using the many-body expansion method.This potential energy function represents theconsiderable topographical features of PuOH molecule in detail,which is adequately accurate in the whole potentialsurface and can be used for the molecular reaction dynamics research.     

A DFT Study on the Mechanism of Rh2II,II‐Catalyzed Intramolecular Amidation of Carbamates

The potential‐energy surfaces of the reactions of dirhodium tetracarboxylate (Rh₂^II,II) catalyzed nitrene (NR) insertion into C H bonds were examined by a DFT computational study. A pure Becke exchange functional (B88) rather than a hybrid exchange functional (B3, BHandH) was found to be appropriate for the calculation of the energy difference between the singlet and triplet Rh₂^II,II–NH nitrene species. Rh₂^II,II–NR¹ (R¹=(S)‐2‐methyl‐1‐butylformyl) is thermodynamically more favorable with a free energy lower than that of Rh₂^II,II–N(PhI)R¹. The singlet and triplet states of Rh₂^II,II–NR¹ have similar stability. Singlet Rh₂^II,II–NR¹ undergoes a concerted NR insertion into the C H bond with simultaneous formation of the N H and N C bonds during C H bond cleavage; triplet Rh₂^II,II–NR¹ undergoes H atom abstraction to produce a diradical, followed by subsequent bond formation by diradical recombination. The singlet pathway is favored over the triplet in the context of the free energy of activation and leads to the retention of the chirality of the C atom in the NR insertion product. The reactivities of the C H bonds toward the nitrene‐insertion reaction follow the order tertiary>secondary>primary. Relative reaction rates were calculated for the six reaction pathways examined in this work.     

Computational Study of spx(x=1–3)-Hybridized Be−Be Bonds Stabilized by Amidinate Ligands

Complexes containing odd-electron Be−Be bonds are still rare until now. Hereby, a series of neutral di-beryllium amidinate complexes containing a Be−Be bond were explored theoretically. The complexes with direct chelation with the Be₂ dimer by the bidentate amidinate (AMD) ligands are always corresponding to their global minimum structures. The detailed bonding analyses reveal that the localized electrons of the Be−Be fragment can be adjusted by the amount of AMD ligands because each AMD ligand only takes one electron from the Be₂ fragment. Meanwhile, the hybridization of the central Be atom also changes as the number of AMD ligands increases. In particular, the sp³-hybridized single-electron Be−Be bond is firstly identified in the tri-AMD-ligands-chelated neutral D_3h- Be₂(AMD)₃ complex, which also possesses the higher stability compared to its monoanionic D_3h- Be₂(AMD)₃ ⁻ and monocationic C₃- Be₂(AMD)₃ ⁺ analogues. Importantly, our study provides a new approach to obtain a neutral odd-electron Be−Be bond, namely by the use of radical ligands through side-on chelation.     

Ligand Exchange Processes on Solvated Beryllium Cations. II [Be(solvent)(12‐Crown‐4)]2+

The solvation and solvent exchange mechanism of [Be(12‐crown‐4)]²⁺ in water and ammonia was studied by DFT calculations (RB3LYP/6‐311+G**). In solution, five‐fold coordinated Be²⁺ species of quadratic pyramidal [Be(H₂O)(12‐crown‐4)]²⁺ and [Be(NH₃)(12‐crown‐4)]²⁺ exist. The water and ammonia exchange reactions follow an associative interchange mechanism, similar to that found for the pure solvent complexes [Be(H₂O)₄]²⁺ and [Be(NH₃)₄]²⁺. The activation barriers are clearly smaller than for the pure solvent complexes, viz. [Be(H₂O)(12‐crown‐4)]²⁺: 6.0 kcal/mol and [Be(NH₃)(12‐crown‐4)]²⁺: 15.3 kcal/mol.