Barium chloride

Barium Chloride is an inorganic compound with an odorless white solid powder or a white orthorhombic crystals depending if the compound is anhydrous or dihydrate. Barium Chloride molecular formula is BaCl2 and its molar mass is 208.23 g/mol. Barium Chloride is very explosive and expels toxic fumes. Which could be deadly to the human body. Though it may be deadly Barium Chloride has many uses.The compound is an important indicator chemical, barium chloride can be a starting chemical for barium and chlorine production. It is also used in manufacturing aluminum alloys, in pigments and dyes and as a water softener.

Properties
Barium Chloride is a compound compose of Barium and chloride. Barium Chloride is a solid with a color of white orthorhombic crystals that is odorless. It has a weight of 208.233 g/mol. Also Barium Chloride is a polymorph(the ability of a solid material to exist in more than one form or crystal structure). The two crystal structure that Barium Chloride can morph are orthogonal when its anhydrous(containing no water) and mono clinic when its dihydrate (containing water). The compound is water soluble and may react violently with BrF3 and 2-furan percarboxylic acid in its anhydrous form.

Synthesis
Barium Chloride is an inorganic compound. Which means that it can't be naturally made, but can be made by man. The compound can be prepared tow ways. One way is from barium hydroxide or barium carbonate, with barium carbonate being found naturally as the mineral witherite. The basic salts will react with hydrochloric acid to give hydrated barium chloride. The second way requires fusion of the reactants. The Barium chloride will later be soaked out from the mixture with water. Making the dihydrate Barium Chloride crystallized as white crystals. Just like the following reactions: BaS + CaCl2 → BaCl2 + CaS

Uses
Since Barium Chloride is so soluble in water it has many functions and uses. One important use for Barium Chloride is that it is used as a chemical indicator for sulfate. Since sulfate has negatively charged ions or anions, it is difficult for it to dissolve in water. While Barium Chloride role in tracking down sulfates is the simple fact that it dissolves in water. Another use for Barium Chloride is that it is used to hardened steel. Finally Barium Chloride can be manufactured pigments, which is used in fireworks to give a bright green color.

Health Hazard and Safety Precaution
Barium Chloride is a neurotoxin which attacks the muscles causing paralysis and possible death. It is also explosive and has toxic fumes when mixed with bromofluorene and 2­furan percarboxylic acid. When inhaled causes sore throat, coughing, shortness of breath, faintness and possible paralysis of arms and legs. Also ingestion of the compound causes abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, trembling, faintness, paralysis of arms and legs and possible death. Though there are safety precautions to prevent these safety hazard. You could Use a fume hood, avoid skin and eye contact avoid inhalation or ingestion of the powder, keep away from heat, keep away from moisture, keep the lid tightly closed, and wash hands thoroughly after handling.

Video
Chemical Reaction Between Sodium Sulfate and Barium Chloride Solution uaBHB5GSgHU