[Chemistry Class Notes] on Barium Chloride Pdf for Exam

Chemical and Physical Properties

1. Chemical Properties:

• Barium chloride behaves with water like any other binary chlorine salt. It dissociates in water to produce NaCl-like ions. It remains neutral and does not affect the pH of the solution. BaCl₂ → Ba₂ ++ 2Cl– 

• When a solution of barium chloride is mixed with sodium sulfate, barium chloride causes a double substitution reaction. At the bottom of the test tube, you will see a white precipitate of barium sulphate is immediately formed. This is an ionic reaction. BaCl₂ + Na₂SO₄ → BaSO₄ (ppt.) + 2NaCl.

2. Physical Properties 

• Barium chloride is crystalline, orthorhombic in the anhydrous form, and monoclinic in the dehydrated form. 

• The molecular weight of this compound is 208.23 g / mol for anhydrous and 244.26 for dehydrate, density is 3.856 g / ml for anhydrous and 3.098 g / ml for dihydrate, and their melting point and boiling point are 963 ° C and 1560 ° C, respectively. 

• Barium chloride is very soluble in water and can dissolve 35.8 grams of compound in 100 ml of solvent.

Preparation of Barium Chloride 

Barium chloride is not naturally occurring; instead, a 2 step reaction process is performed to obtain them. First, barium sulfate is heated to a high temperature together with carbon to produce barium sulfide and carbon monoxide. Second, this barium sulfide reacts with hydrogen chloride to form barium chloride. 

 BaSO₄ + 4C → BaS + 4CO 

 BaS + 2HCl → BaCl₂ + H2S

Health Hazards Caused due to Barium Chloride 

Due to its high toxicity, Barium Chloride has very limited use even in laboratories. Barium chloride is toxic and irritates the eyes, skin, and mucous membranes when in contact. It can even prove to be fatal if inhaled, swallowed, or absorbed through the skin. Barium chloride poisoning can affect the kidneys, cardiovascular system, and central nervous system. It also poses a serious threat to aquatic life.

If it gets in your eyes, make sure you are not wearing contact lenses and in case you are then remove them immediately. Rinse your eyes with cold running water for at least 15 minutes with your eyelids open. If chemicals come into contact with clothing, remove them as soon as possible to protect your hands and body and stand under the cold shower as soon as possible. If inhaled, the victim must stand in a well-ventilated area. In the event of severe inhalation, the victim should evacuate to a safe place as soon as possible. 

If swallowed, induce vomiting in the patient as soon as possible only if they are conscious otherwise perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.