BARIUM ACETATE
Formula : Ba(C2H3O2)2; MW 255.42
Uses
Barium acetate is used as a mordant for printing textile fabrics; for drying paints and varnishes; in lubricating oil; in the preparation of other acetates; and as a catalyst in organic synthesis.
Physical Properties
White powdery solid; density 2.47g/cm3; decomposes on heating; highly soluble in water (55.8g /100g at 0°C), sparingly soluble in methanol (~1.43 g per liter).
Preparation
Barium acetate is made by the reaction of barium carbonate with acetic acid:
BaCO3 + 2CH3COOH → (CH3COO)2Ba + CO2 + H2O
The solution is concentrated and the anhydrous barium acetate crystallizes at a temperature above 41°C. At temperatures between 25 to 40°C, barium acetate monohydrate, Ba(C2H3O2)2•H2O [5908–64–5] (density 2.19 g/cm3) crystallizes out of solution.
Barium acetate also may be prepared by treating barium sulfide with acetic acid, followed by slow evaporation and subsequent crystallization of the salt from the solution:
BaS + 2CH3COOH → (CH3COO)2Ba + H2S
Reactions
Barium acetate converts to barium carbonate when heated in air at elevated temperatures. Reaction with sulfuric acid gives barium sulfate; with hydrochloric acid and nitric acid, the chloride and nitrate salts are obtained after evaporation of the solutions. It undergoes double decomposition reactions with salts of several metals. For example, it forms ferrous acetate when treated with ferrous sulfate solution and mercurous acetate when mixed with mercurous nitrate solution acidified with nitric acid. It reacts with oxalic acid forming barium oxalate.
Analysis
Elemental composition: Ba 53.77%, C 18.81%, H 2.37%, O 25.05%. The salt may be digested with nitric acid, diluted appropriately, and analyzed for barium. (See Barium.)
Toxicity
The salt or its aqueous solution is highly toxic. LD10 (oral) rabbit: 236 mg/kg; LD10 (subcutaneous) rabbit: 96 mg/kg. See Barium.
Tags: ACETATE, Ba(C2H3O2)2; MW 255.42, Barium, BARIUM ACETATE
