Barium Hydroxide (Ba(OH)2): Structure, Properties and Reactions

Barium hydroxide is a type of chemical compound, it is also called baryta or baryta-water. Its Chemical Formula is Ba(OH)₂. Its physical properties include its appearance being as a clear white powder that is in its commercial form and has no odour. It is also considered poisonous. The nature of this compound is found to be ionic. It is used as a reagent for the metalization of carboxamides. It is also less degradative to barium oxide. 

Read More: Electrophile

---

Structure of Barium Hydroxide

The chemical formula of Barium Hydroxide is Ba(OH)₂. So according to that, it should contain only One Barium and Hydroxide each, however, to make the compound neutral we have to add another hydroxide molecule to the compound as Barium and Hydroxide have an unequal number of ions.

Barium Hydroxide

---

Properties of Barium Hydroxide

There are various physical properties of Barium Hydroxide, these properties are listed below:

• Molar Mass of Barium Hydroxide

The molar mass of Barium Hydroxide can be calculated by adding up the masses of its components. The molar mass of Barium is 137.33 and the molar mass of hydrogen is 1.008. The molar mass of oxygen is 15.999. By adding up all the numbers correctly, we get the molar mass of Barium Hydroxide, which is 171.344g/mol.

• Basicity

Barium Hydroxide is a strong base as it gives out a large number of hydroxide ions when it reacts with water.

• The Melting Point of Barium Hydroxide

The melting point of Barium Hydroxide changes depending upon the level of water it is added to. The octahydrate form, monohydrate form and anhydrous form melt 78-degree celsius, 300-degree Celsius and 407-degree celsius, respectively.

Also Read:

• Solubility

Barium Hydroxide has low solubility in water. A Molar Concentration of 0.1 M is needed to dissolve it in water.

• Boiling Point

Barium Hydroxide boils at 780-degree celsius and decomposes to form barium oxide at 800-degree celsius.

• Colour

The colour of Barium hydroxide is white.

Read More:

• Appearance

Its appearance is of granular solid.

Barium Hydroxide

• Odour

It has no odour.

• pH Level

Its pH level is 11.27

• Density

The density of the monohydrate form and octahydrate form is 3.74 g/cubic cm and is 2.18 g/cubic cm, respectively.

• It has 3 covalently bonded units.

• Vapour Pressure

Its vapour pressure is 0.48 kPa at 17.6 deg C.

Also Read:

---

Reactions of Barium Hydroxide

• Barium hydroxide decomposes into barium oxide when heated to 800 ° C.
• Barium carbonate is obtained by reacting with carbon dioxide.
• It is a strong base so it neutralizes with acid.
• It forms barium sulphate and barium phosphate with sulfuric acid and phosphoric acid, respectively. 
• Barium sulfide is produced by the reaction with hydrogen sulfide.
• The reaction between barium hydroxide and ammonium salt is strongly endothermic
• The reaction of barium hydroxide monohydrate with ammonium chloride or ammonium thiocyanate produces enough temperature to freeze the water and enough water to dissolve the resulting mixture.

Read More:

---

Uses of Barium Hydroxide

• It is used to form a strong caustic base in aqueous solutions and is used for a test for sulphides in pesticides or it is also used for the manufacture of glass and alkali.
• Barium hydroxide lime is used instead of soda-lime as it has high sevoflurane concentration, fresh absorbent use and high absorbent temperature.
• It is also used for the manufacture of glass, alkalis, oil and grease additives, other barium compounds and barium soaps.

Read More:

---

Health Hazards Caused By Barium Hydroxide

• Inhalation of barium dust can cause inflammation of the upper respiratory tract and the nose, which leads to benign pneumoconiosis, also known as baritosis.
• They are toxic to the muscles in our body, especially the heart, as they cause irritation and subsequently paralyse the victim.
• It is a very dangerous neurotoxin. Its Side effects include heart and central nervous system (CNS) function dysfunction.

Read More:

---

Things to Remember

• Barium hydroxide is a type of chemical compound, it is also called baryta or baryta-water. It's Chemical Formula is Ba(OH)₂. It is also considered poisonous. The nature of this compound is found to be ionic. It is used as a reagent for the metalization of carboxamides. It is also less degradative to barium oxide.
• The chemical formula of Barium Oxide is Ba(OH)₂. So according to that, it should contain only One Barium and Hydroxide each, however, to make the compound neutral we have to add another hydroxide molecule to the compound as Barium and Hydroxide have an unequal number of ions.
• Inhalation of barium dust can cause inflammation of the upper respiratory tract and the nose, which leads to benign pneumoconiosis, also known as baritosis. They are toxic to the muscles in our body, especially the heart, as they cause irritation and subsequently paralyse the victim.
• It is used to form a strong caustic base in aqueous solutions and is used for a test for sulphides in pesticides or it is also used for the manufacture of glass and alkali.
• Barium hydroxide decomposes into barium oxide when heated to 800 ° C. Barium carbonate is obtained by reacting with carbon dioxide. It is a strong base so it neutralizes with acid. It forms barium sulphate and barium phosphate with sulfuric acid and phosphoric acid, respectively. 

Also Read: