The complex hydrides, NaR₂BeH (R = Prⁿ, Prⁱ, and Buⁱ) are described, together with Li(OEt₂)Buⁱ₂BeH, LiBuⁱ₂-BeH, Na(OEt₂)₄Bu^t₄Be₂H, and Na(OMe₂)Et₂BeH. Pyrolysis of the isopropyl and of the butyl salts in the range 60–200° results in elimination of olefin and of some dialkyl, R₂Be, to leave a residue of sodium beryllium hydrides the composition of which depends on the pyrolysis conditions.

Sodium di-isobutylberyllium hydride, which is insoluble in hydrocarbons, dissolves in solutions of di-isobutylberyllium in hexane up to a limit corresponding to the composition Na₂Buⁱ₆Be₃H₂. Sodium diethylberyllium hydride combines with diethylberyllium to give a product, NaEt₆Be₃H, which is insoluble in hexane. Pyrolysis of this salt gives NaEt₂BeH.

Di-isobutylberyllium may conveniently be characterized as its bispyridine adduct.