- Barium chloride
Chembox new
Name = Barium chloride
ImageFile = Barium chloride.jpg
ImageSize = 200px
ImageName = Barium chloride
Section1 = Chembox Identifiers
CASNo = 10361-37-2
Section2 = Chembox Properties
Formula = BaCl2 (anhydrous)
BaCl2·2H2O
MolarMass = 208.2324 g/mol
Appearance = White solid
Density = 3.856 g/cm3, solid
Solubility = 37.5 g/100 ml (26°C)
MeltingPt = 962 °C
BoilingPt = 1560 °C
Section3 = Chembox Structure
Coordination = 7-9
CrystalStruct =monoclinic ororthorhombic
Section4 = Chembox Thermochemistry
DeltaHf = −858.56 kJ/mol
Section7 = Chembox Hazards
EUClass = Toxic (T)
RPhrases = R20, R25
SPhrases = S1/2, S45
FlashPt = Non-flammable
Section8 = Chembox Related
OtherAnions =Barium fluoride Barium bromide Barium iodide
OtherCations =Calcium chloride
Strontium chloride
Lead chloride Barium chloride is the ionicchemical compound with the formula BaCl2. It is one of the most important water-soluble salts ofbarium . Like other barium salts, it is toxic and imparts a yellow-green coloration to a flame. It is alsohygroscopic .tructure and properties
BaCl2 crystallizes in both the
fluorite andlead chloride motifs, both of which accommodate the preference of the large Ba2+ ion for coordination numbers greater than six. [Wells, A.F. (1984) Structural Inorganic Chemistry, Oxford: Clarendon Press. ISBN 0-19-855370-6.] In aqueous solution BaCl2 behaves as a simplesalt ; in water it is a 1:2 electrolyte and the solution exhibits a neutralpH .Barium chloride reacts with
sulfate ion to produce a thick whiteprecipitate ofbarium sulfate .:BaCl2(aq) + SO42- → BaSO4(s) + 2 Cl-(aq)Oxalate effects a similar reaction::BaCl2(aq) + Na2C2O4(aq) → BaC2O4 (s) + 2 NaCl(aq)Preparation
Although inexpensively available, barium chloride can be prepared from
barium hydroxide orbarium carbonate , the latter being found naturally as the mineralwitherite . These basic salts react withhydrochloric acid to give hydrated barium chloride. On an industrial scale, it is prepared via a two step process frombarite (barium sulfate ): [H. Nechamkin, "The Chemistry of the Element", McGraw-Hill, New York, 1968.] :BaSO4 + 4 C → BaS + 4 COThis first step requires high temperatures.:BaS + CaCl2 → BaCl2 + CaSThe second step reqiures fusion of the reactants. The BaCl2 can then be leached out from the mixture withwater .From water solutions of barium chloride, the dihydrate can be crystallized as white crystals: BaCl2·2H2O
Uses
As a cheap, soluble salt of
barium , barium chloride finds wide application in the laboratory. It is commonly used as a test for sulfate ion (see chemical properties above). In industry, barium chloride is mainly used in the purification ofbrine solution in caustic chlorine plants and also in the manufacture of heat treatment salts, case hardening ofsteel , in the manufacture of pigments, and in the manufacture of other barium salts. BaCl2 is also used infireworks to give a bright green color. However, its toxicity limits its applicability. Barium Chloride is also used (with Hydrochloric acid) as a test for sulfates. When these two chemicals are mixed with a sulfate salt, a white precipitate forms, which is barium sulfate.afety
Barium chloride, along with other water-soluble barium salts, is highly toxic.
Sodium sulfate and Magnesium sulfate are potential antidotes because they form the insoluble solid barium sulfate BaSO4, which is much less toxic.References
*Greenwood, N. N.; & Earnshaw, A. (1997). Chemistry of the Elements (2nd Edn.), Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann. ISBN 0-7506-3365-4.
* "Handbook of Chemistry and Physics", 71st edition, CRC Press, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 1990.
* "The Merck Index", 7th edition, Merck & Co., Rahway, New Jersey, 1960.External links
* [http://www.ilo.org/public/english/protection/safework/cis/products/icsc/dtasht/_icsc06/icsc0614.htm International Chemical Safety Card 0614] . ("anhydrous")
* [http://www.ilo.org/public/english/protection/safework/cis/products/icsc/dtasht/_icsc06/icsc0615.htm International Chemical Safety Card 0615] . ("dihydrate")
* [http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/npgd0045.html NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards] .
* [http://ecb.jrc.it/ European Chemicals Bureau] .
* [http://www.solvayvishnubarium.com/products/bariumchloride/0,,4872-2-0,00.htm Barium chloride's use in industry] .
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.