What is the maximum coordination number that Beryllium () can exhibit in its complex compounds? — s Block Elements Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Beryllium belongs to the second period and has only $s$ and $p$ orbitals in its valence shell (2s and 2p), meaning it has only 4 available orbitals. It lacks vacant d-orbitals. Thus, it can accommodate a maximum of 4 electron pairs, restricting its maximum coordination number to 4 (e.g., in $[Be(OH)_4]^{2-}$).