Chemical Tips Sharing – Barium Chloride

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With the chemical formula BaCl2, it exists in two crystal forms: colorless monoclinic and colorless cubic. The monoclinic form transforms into a cubic form at 962°C. It often exists in the form of hydrates; barium chloride dihydrate, BaCl2·2H2O, is a colorless, shiny crystal that is toxic. It loses its crystalline water at 113°C and can absorb moisture when exposed to air. Soluble in water, practically insoluble in hydrochloric acid. It loses its crystalline water in anhydrous ethanol, but does not dissolve. It is one of the most important soluble barium salts. It can be used for the identification and separation of SO2-4 ions, as well as for purifying brine; it is also used in the production of chlorine and sodium hydroxide. It can serve as a flux for magnesium alloys, a water softener, and a pigment. Barium chloride can be produced by calcining barite with coal and calcium chloride, adding hydrochloric acid to a barium sulfide solution, or treating celestine with hydrochloric acid.