Calcium Chloride: Formula, Structure, Properties & Uses

Calcium Chloride is an ionic compound made up of calcium and chlorine. Its colour is a crystalline white solid at normal room temperature, but it starts to generate heat when released into the atmosphere. 

• It is an odourless solid compound that is highly soluble. Calcium Chloride is hygroscopic in nature.
• This ion compound has a wide range of applications like dust control, de-icing, etc.
•  It is commonly known as Calcium di-chloride and Calcium Chlorine anhydrous. 
• The chemical formula of calcium chloride is CaCl₂. 
• It is the most active compound used in absortech products.
• The enthalpy power of such solution is high.
• The preparation of calcium chloride involves neutralising hydrochloric acid with calcium hydroxide.
• It is used as a food additive to add a saltier flavour.

Read More: Chemical Equation for Calcium Hydroxide

Key Terms: Calcium Chloride, Hydrochloric Acid, Calcium Carbonate, Calcium Hydroxide, Limestone, Ionic Compound, Enthalpy Power 

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Preparation of Calcium Chloride

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Calcium Chloride or Calcium Di-Chloride can be prepared by reacting hydrochloric and calcium carbonate solution acid or directly from the limestone. The preparation of calcium chloride by limestone method is discussed below in detail:

Step 1

Wear gloves and a mask before starting the method because, in this process, we are going to handle acids.

Step 2

Take a beaker and add limestone to quarterly fill up the beaker.

Step 3

Then, fill the quarter of the beaker with hydrochloric acid to the limestone.

Step 4

Once the hydrochloric acid begins to dissolve limestone, it starts to bubble and mix the contents gently till the reaction ends.

Step 5

Then, filter the solution into another clean beaker with the help of filter paper.

Step 6

Heat the beaker containing the filtered calcium chloride solution until the water fully evaporates. The solid calcium chloride is obtained as a result of this preparation process.

Read More: NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Science

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Properties of Calcium Chloride

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The properties of calcium chloride are as follows:

• The chemical name of calcium chloride is calcium chloride or calcium di-chloride.
• It has a molecular weight or molar mass of 110.98 g/mol.
• Calcium Chloride has a density of 2.15 g/cm^3.
• It is an odourless powder in the form of granules and flakes.
• The melting and boiling points are 772 °C and 1,935 °C, respectively.
• It can absorb water to convert into liquid.

Calcium Chloride

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Structure of Calcium Chloride

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Calcium Chloride molecule comprises two ionic bonds between a single calcium cation and two chloride anions. The calcium cation holds a positive charge of +2 magnitude, and each chloride anion holds a negative charge of -1 magnitude.

• It clearly shows that the Calcium Chloride molecule is electrically neutral.
• The bivalent calcium metal will form an ionic bond with the chlorine atoms.
• Chlorine ions are required to create a balance in the reactions.
• Calcium Chloride can also be produced by soda ash using the Solvay process.

Structure of Calcium Chloride

Read More: Factors Affecting Solubility

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Formula of Calcium Chloride

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Calcium Chloride consists of 1 calcium cation and 2 chlorine anions, so the bivalent calcium cation develops an ionic bond with the 2 chlorine anions.The chemical formula of Calcium Chloride and an explanation about the structure of the formula are given below,

• Calcium chloride is an ionic compound, which is made of ions.
• Ions can either have positive or negative charges, but the main idea is that the overall ionic compound charge has to balance to get neutral.
• Calcium is an element in the group of 2 with a positive charge of 2+.
• Chlorine is an element which is in group 7 with a negative charge of -1. 
• As an iconic molecule, the calcium chloride must have a neutral charge. 
• As the overall charge is 0 for neutral, there must be a balance of charges between the calcium and chlorine elements. 
• So, the molecule needs two chlorine ions to balance the calcium ion charge as it becomes 2−2=0 because Calcium is a bivalent element.

The formation of Calcium Chloride occurs by the reaction of limestone (CaCo3) with hydrochloric acid (HCl), and the chemical equation can be given as follows.

                                                 CaCO₃ + 2HCl  → Calcium Chloride + CO₂ + H₂O(aq)   

Read More: Difference between Cations and Anions

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Uses of Calcium Chloride

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The various uses of calcium chloride are as follows:

• Calcium Chloride is commonly used to prevent ice formation during the winter season and is widely used in the deicing process.
• It is mainly used in activated charcoal, which has many benefits.
• It is commonly used as a sterilant for male animals in modern days.
• Calcium Chloride is widely used in heating pads and self-heating cans.
• It is highly helpful to correct the mineral deficiencies in brewing beer.
• Calcium chloride is used as an electrolyte in sports drinks, which restores the energy in the human body.
• Usually, it is used to pack dry tubes in laboratories.

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Things to Remember

• Calcium Chloride is an ionic compound that is electrically neutral and a combination of Calcium and Chlorine molecules.
• Calcium is a bivalent molecule with a charge of +2 magnitude.
• Chlorine is a molecule with a charge of -1, so these two have to be combined to form a neutrally charged Calcium Chloride ionic compound.
• The Calcium Chloride is prepared by two methods, namely the limestone method and the Solvay process.
• The limestone method is the most commonly used method to prepare Calcium Chloride.
• It is also prepared as a by-product of the Solvay process in a larger quantity.
• It has many applications, and the most important usage is the deicing of ice during winter.

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