Barium nitrate
Barium nitrate is an inorganic chemical compound with the molecular formula Ba(NO₃)₂ and a molecular weight of 261.34 g/mol, appearing as a white, odorless crystalline solid that is highly soluble in water (approximately 9 g/100 mL at 25°C) but only slightly soluble in ethanol and acetone.[1] It has a density of 3.24 g/cm³ and decomposes upon heating at around 590°C, releasing nitrogen oxides and barium oxide, while its melting point is reported at 592°C.[1] As a salt of barium and nitric acid, it functions as a strong oxidizer, noncombustible on its own but capable of accelerating the combustion of other materials, and it is incompatible with reducing agents, acids, and combustible substances.[1] Barium nitrate is primarily produced by reacting barium carbonate (BaCO₃) with nitric acid (HNO₃) in a controlled process where the acid is diluted and heated before adding the carbonate, yielding the nitrate salt along with carbon dioxide and water; the solution is then filtered, evaporated, and crystallized to obtain the pure compound.[2] This method leverages the availability of barium carbonate derived from natural barite (barium sulfate) ores, ensuring industrial scalability for applications requiring high-purity barium salts.[3] Alternative syntheses may involve barium chloride or sulfate with nitrate sources, but the carbonate-nitric acid route remains the most common due to its efficiency and byproduct management.[4] The compound finds extensive use in pyrotechnics, where it imparts a characteristic green color to flames in fireworks, signal lights, and military applications like thermite grenades, owing to the emission spectrum of excited barium ions.[5] It is also employed in the manufacture of ceramics, glass, and vacuum tube components to remove residual gases, as well as in the production of barium oxide and other specialty chemicals; additionally, it serves as a precursor in ammonia synthesis catalysts and in doping graphene materials for electrochemical enhancements.[6] Due to its oxidizing properties, it appears in explosives and neon sign production, though its handling is regulated given its toxicity.[3] Barium nitrate poses significant health and safety risks as a toxic substance that can cause severe gastrointestinal distress, muscle weakness, and cardiac arrhythmias upon ingestion or inhalation, with an oral LD50 in rats of 355 mg/kg; it is classified as an oxidizer under GHS standards, potentially leading to fire or explosion hazards when mixed with combustibles.[1] Exposure limits are set at 0.5 mg/m³ (NIOSH recommended TWA), and protective measures include avoiding skin/eye contact, using ventilation, and immediate medical intervention for exposures, such as rinsing affected areas with water.[1] Its environmental impact includes potential barium contamination in water systems, necessitating careful disposal and regulatory compliance in industrial settings.Properties
Physical properties
Barium nitrate appears as a colorless to white crystalline solid and is odorless.[1] It exhibits a cubic crystal structure in the isometric system, with space group P213.[7] The compound is hygroscopic, meaning it can absorb moisture from the air, and remains stable under standard conditions of temperature and pressure.[8] Key physical properties of barium nitrate are summarized in the following table:| Property | Value | Conditions/Source |
|---|---|---|
| Molecular weight | 261.34 g/mol | [1] |
| Density | 3.24 g/cm³ | 20 °C; Lide, D.R., CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 2007-2008[1] |
| Melting point | 592 °C (decomposes above) | Lide, D.R., CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 2007-2008[1] |
| Solubility in water | 9.0 g/100 mL | 20 °C[9] |
| Solubility in ethanol | Slightly soluble | Lide, D.R., CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 2007-2008[1] |