Barium carbonate

• Carbonate of barium
• Carbonate of baryta
• Witherite

White, odorless solid

Fixed

4.43 g · cm -3 ( at 20 ° C)

Decomposition> 1450 ° C

• Very difficult in water (20 mg · l-1 at 20 ° C)
• Soluble in nitric acid and hydrochloric acid with decomposition

Attention

-1216 KJ · mol -1

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Barium carbonate is the carbonate of the alkaline earth metal barium. It has the formula BaCO3 and occurs in nature as the mineral Witherite ago.

It is used as a component of rat poison and as a component of cement and bricks.

Properties

The colorless salt barium carbonate decomposes at atmospheric pressure at temperatures from 1300 ° C to barium oxide and carbon dioxide:

Barium colors the flame green.

Use

Barium carbonate is used for example as a raw material for the production of industrial glass and optical glass. In addition, it is the end product in the detection of carbon dioxide with baryta water. This proof is only possible because barium carbonate is poorly soluble in water.

Safety

Barium carbonate is harmful. It is irritating to mucous membranes, leading to dysfunction in the central and peripheral nervous system, muscle paralysis, gastrointestinal disorders, and cardiovascular and pulmonary disorders.