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Barium Chloride Formula is also called Barium dichloride formula. This soluble salt of barium arises from the direct reaction of barium and chlorine. The molecular formula or chemical formula for Barium Chloride is given as BaCl2.
About Barium Chloride
Barium Chloride is a white-colored solid and it contains no odour. It is soluble in water and hygroscopic. It crystallizes in two polymorphs (or forms) viz orthorhombic cotunnite (PbCl2) structure and cubic fluorite (CaF2) structure.
It can be widely used in industries, laboratories to test sulfate ions, purifying brine solution in the manufacturing of pigments, including other barium salts. It is toxic, inexpensive, and yields a yellow-green colour flame.
Structural Formula of Barium Chloride (Barium Dichloride)
In general, BaCl2 crystallizes in two forms (or polymorphs). One form contains the cubic fluorite (CaF2) structure and the other holds the orthorhombic cotunnite (PbCl2) structure. Both the polymorphs accommodate the preference of the large Ba2+ ion for the coordination numbers, which are greater than six. In the cotunnite structure, Ba2+ has a coordination of 9 whereas in the fluorite structure, it has a coordination of 8.
When the BaCl2 cotunnite structure is subjected to the pressures of 7–10 GPa, it transforms to a third structure, which is a monoclinic post-cotunnite phase. Also, the Ba2+ coordination number increases from 9 to 10.
Properties of Barium Chloride (Barium dichloride)
Physical Properties
|
The Chemical formula of Barium Chloride |
BaCl2 |
|
Density |
3.856 g/cm3 (anhydrous) |
|
Molecular weight of barium chloride |
208.23 g/mol (anhydrous) |
|
Boiling point |
1,560 °C |
|
Melting point |
962 °C |
Chemical Properties
The barium chloride contains a similar behavior or a few other binary salts of chlorine. In water, it decomposes to produce:
BaCl2 → Ba2+ + 2Cl–
Also, this reaction is the same as other binary Cl salts as the NaCl and does not affect the solutions’ pH level.
Toxicity
When ingested, inhaled, or in contact with the skin, the Barium Chloride irritates the upper respiratory system, eyes and causes gastroenteritis, slow pulse, skin burns, hypokalemia, and extrasystoles.