Barium acetate

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Barium acetate is a chemical compound with the formula Ba(C₂H₃O₂)₂. It is the barium salt of acetic acid. Barium acetate is a white, crystalline solid that is soluble in water and slightly soluble in alcohol. It is commonly used in various industrial applications, including the production of other barium compounds, as a mordant in textile printing, and in the preparation of certain types of glass.

Properties

Barium acetate is a white, odorless solid with a molecular weight of 255.42 g/mol. It has a melting point of 450 °C and decomposes upon further heating. The compound is highly soluble in water, forming a clear, colorless solution. It is also slightly soluble in alcohol.

Preparation

Barium acetate can be prepared by reacting barium carbonate or barium hydroxide with acetic acid. The reaction is as follows:

BaCO₃ + 2 CH₃COOH → Ba(C₂H₃O₂)₂ + CO₂ + H₂O

Alternatively, it can be synthesized by reacting barium chloride with sodium acetate:

BaCl₂ + 2 CH₃COONa → Ba(C₂H₃O₂)₂ + 2 NaCl

Applications

Barium acetate is used in various industrial applications, including:

• **Textile Industry**: It is used as a mordant in textile printing and dyeing processes.
• **Glass Manufacturing**: It is used in the preparation of certain types of glass.
• **Chemical Synthesis**: It serves as a precursor for the synthesis of other barium compounds.
• **Laboratory Reagent**: It is used as a reagent in analytical chemistry.

Safety

Barium acetate is toxic if ingested or inhaled. It can cause severe health effects, including muscle weakness, respiratory distress, and cardiovascular issues. Proper safety measures, such as the use of personal protective equipment and adequate ventilation, should be taken when handling this compound.

See also

• Barium
• Acetate
• Barium carbonate
• Barium chloride
• Acetic acid