Difference between revisions of "Barium chlorate"
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| − | Barium chlorate can be neutralized in two steps. First, with a reducing agent, such as [[sodium metabisulfite]], [[sodium bisulfite]], [[sodium sulfite]] | + | Barium chlorate can be neutralized in two steps. First, with a reducing agent, such as [[sodium metabisulfite]], [[sodium bisulfite]], [[sodium sulfite]]. Then, the toxic barium remains, and this is neutralized with sulfuric acid. Using sulfites allows combining both steps, since they oxidize to sulfates and neutralize barium in their oxidized form. |
==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 07:36, 14 December 2015
Barium chlorate is the inorganic chemical compound with the formula Ba(ClO3, )2 and is the barium salt of chloric acid. It is a strong oxidizing agent.
Contents
Properties
Chemical
Barium chlorate is is an extremely powerful oxidizer.
If sulfuric acid is added to barium chlorate, chloric acid is formed:
- Ba(ClO3)2 + H2SO4 → 2 HClO3 + BaSO4 (precipitates)
Since barium sulfate is very insoluble, this reaction is useful to obtain chloric acid of high purity: just filter the solution.
If the experiment is run dry (i.e. im a non-aqueous environment), the pure, very unstable chloric acid decomposes immediately to perchloric acid and chlorine dioxide. The latter will spontaneously ignite any combustible material (sugar, paper, dust). However, doing this reqation aqueously lets one synthesize stable solutions of chloric acid.
Barium chlorate always gives the green color to the flame if it is a component of a fuel-oxidizer mix. This is its main use in pyrotechnics.
Physical
Barium chlorate is a transparent to white salt that are poorly soluble in water and glycerol. It is even less soluble in cold water than potassium chlorate, which allows for easy conversion between two salts: in a cooled solution of BaCl2 and potassium chlorate, the double displacement reaction proceeds almost fully.
Availability
It can be found in some pyrotechnics.
Preparation
The common precursor chem to barium chlorate is potassium chlorate. Mixing barium chloride and potassium chlorate in hot water and then cooling it to near zero temperatures allows barium chlorate to precipitate.
Projects
- Green fireworks
- Chloric acid and perchloric acid synthesis
Handling
Safety
When mixed with combustible materials, even those normally slightly flammable (such as dust and lint), it will burn vigorously in combination and the fires are extremely hard to put out, as the chlorate provides the oxygen for the fire. Sulfur and red phosphorus, should be avoided in pyrotechnic compositions containing barium chlorate, as well as any acidic salts, as these mixtures are shock and friction sensitive and prone to spontaneous deflagration (in the safety head matches, such mixture is stabilized with glue).
Storage
Barium chlorate should be stored in closed containers and away from any organic sources, as well as strong acidic vapors. Since it is not hygroscopic, it is not necessary to keep it air tight.
Disposal
Barium chlorate can be neutralized in two steps. First, with a reducing agent, such as sodium metabisulfite, sodium bisulfite, sodium sulfite. Then, the toxic barium remains, and this is neutralized with sulfuric acid. Using sulfites allows combining both steps, since they oxidize to sulfates and neutralize barium in their oxidized form.
