Barium chloride

Barium chloride

Barium chloride crystals.
Names
IUPAC name Barium chloride
Other names Barium dichloride Barium muriate Muryate of Barytes
Identifiers
Jmol-3D images	Image
SMILES [Ba+2].[Cl-].[Cl-]
Properties
Chemical formula	BaCl2
Molar mass	208.23 g/mol (anhydrous) 244.26 g/mol (dihydrate)
Appearance	White crystalline solid
Odor	Odorless
Density	3.856 g/cm3 (anhydrous) 3.0979 g/cm3 (dihydrate)
Melting point	962 °C (1,764 °F; 1,235 K) (anhydrous)
Boiling point	1,560 °C (2,840 °F; 1,830 K)
Solubility in water	31.2 g/100 mL (0 °C) 35.8 g/100 mL (20 °C) 59.4 g/100 mL (100 °C)
Solubility	Soluble in methanol Insoluble in ethanol, ethyl acetate, toluene
Vapor pressure	~0 mmHg
Thermochemistry
Std enthalpy of formation (ΔfHo298)	−858.56 kJ/mol
Hazards
Safety data sheet	FisherScientific
Flash point	Non-flammable
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC):
LD50 (Median dose)	78 mg/kg (rat, oral) 50 mg/kg (guinea pig, oral)
Related compounds
Related compounds	Magnesium chloride Calcium chloride Strontium chloride Barium chlorate
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references

Barium chloride is the inorganic compound with the formula BaCl₂. It is a soluble barium compound, useful for the preparation of various barium compounds.

Properties

Chemical

Barium chloride reacts with sulfates to precipitate barium sulfate. This reaction is used in identifying the sulfate species in a sample. This also works with oxalates or carbonates.

Physical

Barium chloride is a white solid, soluble in water and methanol, but insoluble in ethanol and alkanes.

Availability

Barium chloride can be purchased online.

Preparation

Can be prepared by reacting barium carbonate with hydrochloric acid. The solution is concentrated by boiling it and is then left to cool, which causes the barium chloride to crystallize.

A good method of obtaining barium chloride from pottery-grade barium carbonate can be found here.

Projects

• Sulfate test
• Make green flame
• Barium chlorate synthesis

Handling

Safety

Barium chloride, like the other water-soluble barium salts, is highly toxic if ingested. A soluble sulfate salt, such as sodium sulfate or magnesium sulfate can be used as antidotes, as they convert the soluble barium ions to the insoluble barium sulfate, which is relatively non-toxic.

Storage

Barium chloride should be stored in closed bottles.

Disposal

Barium chloride should be mixed with sodium sulfate or magnesium sulfate before disposal.

Gallery

• 

  Barium chloride crystals on a watch glass

References

Relevant Sciencemadness threads

• Barium chloride or nitrate more usefull ?
• HCl and BaCl2 solubility