Barium Bromide

Barium Bromide is metallic alkaline in nature; however, it never arises in pure form. It is because barium bromide reacts promptly with air. Along with it, barium bromide reacts with oxygen, sulfur, and carbon to form barium compounds. The barium bromide is an inorganic compound. This chemical compound is also called barium bromide anhydrous or barium (2+) dibromide. BaBr2 is the chemical formula of an inorganic compound that is Barium Bromide.

Barium Bromide - Physical and Chemical Properties

Physical Properties:

• Molecular Weight: The molecular mass of barium bromide is 297.14 gram per mole.

• Melting Point: The melting point of barium bromide is high. The inorganic compound melts at 857-degree Celsius.

• Boiling Point: The boiling point of barium bromide is 1835-degree Celsius.

• Density: The density of the barium bromide formula is 4.78 g/cm3.

• Solubility: The inorganic compound BaBr2 dissolves at 75- degrees Celsius in its own water-of-hydration. Generally, it dissolves before the decomposing of the anhydrate. 

Chemical Properties:

• The barium bromide compound is a white crystalline powder.

• BaBr2 compound contains three units that are bonded covalently.

• The exact mass of this inorganic compound is 297.74 grams per mole. However, the monoisotopic mass of BaBr2 is 297.742 gram per mole. 

• The number of hydrogen bond donors in the barium bromide formula is equivalent to 0.

• The number of hydrogen bond acceptors in barium bromide is equivalent to 2.

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The above picture states two bromine ions in barium bromide have one negative charge each, and barium has a+2 charge. The charge on the atoms is according to its ability to donate or gain the electrons. 

Reactions of Barium Bromide

• The barium bromide solutions react with the salts of sulfate and produce a solid precipitate of barium sulfate:

BaBr2 + SO42- →  BaSO4 + 2Br-

• Barium bromide reacts with oxalic acid to produce solid precipitates of barium oxalate:

BaBr2 + C2O42- →  BaC2O4 + 2Br-

It is a white odourless powder.

• The reaction between barium bromide and hydrofluoric acid produces a solid precipitate of barium fluoride:

BaBr2 + F- →  BaF2 + 2Br-

BaF2 is a colourless solid that occurs in nature.

• The reaction between barium bromide and phosphoric acid produces solid precipitate that is, barium phosphate:

BaBr2 + PO43- → Ba3 (PO4)2 + 2Br-

Barium Bromide - How is the Compound Formed?

The barium bromide formula can be prepared from barium sulfide or carbonate. 

For instance;

• When barium sulfide reacts with hydrobromic acid, barium bromide is produced:

BaS + 2HBr -> BaBr2 + H2S

• Similarly, when barium carbonate reacts with hydrobromic acid, barium bromide is produced:

BaCO3 + 2HBr -> BaBr2 + CO2 + H2O

Barium bromide can also be crystallized from its solution. By heating to 120- degrees Celsius, BaBr2.2H2O forms the anhydrate and produces the formula of barium bromide. 

The barium bromide formula also refers to barium dibromide formula, which acts as salt when it is in aqueous form. In lead chloride motif, barium bromide salt crystallizes and results in the formation of deliquescent orthorhombic white crystals. 

How is Barium Bromide Used in Chemistry?

• You can use BaBr2 to form different and various chemicals that are used in photography. 

• In the previous years,  BaBr2 was used for radium purification. The process is well known as fractional crystallization. The process was developed by Marie Curie. 

• The inorganic compound is widely used in the manufacture of other bromides.

• Barium bromide is highly used in the preparation of phosphorus.

There are many uses of barium bromide; however, its intake is injurious to health. The anhydrous barium bromide taken with several other water-soluble salts of barium is considered as toxic.

The above table tells the bond strength and type of bond present in barium carbonate and barium oxalate compounds. For instance, in barium oxalate, hydrogen bonding is present along with covalent and molecular bonding. In barium carbonate an asymmetric covalent bond is present.

Barium Bromide - Health Hazards

There are several known hazards of using barium bromide. Barium in the inorganic compound can block the inflow of intracellular potassium. As a result, there is a transfer of potassium from the extracellular compartment to intracellular. There is a reduction in the resting membrane potential that unexcited the muscle fibers electrically. Consequently, it can cause paralysis. 

When barium bromide is swallowed inside the body, it can cause severe poisoning to humans. 

Bromine is a robust oxidizing agent. From the water, it can release the free oxygen radicals existing in mucous membranes. The free radicals released can act as potent oxidizers, and thus it can cause tissue damage. 

Additionally, the formation of bromic acids can influence the outcome in secondary irritation. It can also cause bromism that impacts the central nervous system. 

Barium Bromide - Safety

As barium bromide contains barium an alkaline metal inside its composition. It is better to be safe. Include only a small part of barium bromide or other barium compounds to your diet that is soluble in water.