Barium selenate

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Barium selenate is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula BaSeO₄. It is a white crystalline solid that is sparingly soluble in water. Barium selenate is primarily used in the field of analytical chemistry and has applications in various industrial processes.

Chemical Properties

Barium selenate is composed of barium (Ba) and selenium (Se) atoms, combined with four oxygen (O) atoms. The compound crystallizes in a structure similar to that of barium sulfate (BaSO₄), with barium cations (Ba²⁺) and selenate anions (SeO₄^2-).

Solubility

Barium selenate is sparingly soluble in water, which means it dissolves to a limited extent. Its solubility is influenced by temperature and the presence of other ions in the solution.

Synthesis

Barium selenate can be synthesized through a precipitation reaction involving a soluble barium salt, such as barium chloride (BaCl₂), and a soluble selenate salt, such as sodium selenate (Na₂SeO₄). The reaction is as follows:

BaCl₂ + Na₂SeO₄ → BaSeO₄ + 2 NaCl

The resulting barium selenate precipitates out of the solution as a white solid.

Applications

Barium selenate is used in various applications, including:

• Analytical chemistry: It is used as a reagent in the qualitative and quantitative analysis of selenium.
• Industrial processes: Barium selenate is used in the manufacturing of certain types of glass and ceramics.

Safety and Handling

Barium selenate, like other barium compounds, is toxic if ingested or inhaled. Proper safety measures should be taken when handling this compound, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves and safety goggles. It should be stored in a cool, dry place away from incompatible substances.

See Also

• Barium sulfate
• Selenium
• Barium chloride
• Sodium selenate