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Element Index (B)

Barium

Beryllium

Bismuth

Bromine

Boron

Chemical's truth
Ricin is a natural poison extracted from the castor oil bean with a quoted LD50 of 20,000 ng/kg.


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Barium sulfate

(Barytes, Blanc fixe, Barosperse)

CAS no: 7727-43-7   Formula: BaSO4   Molecular weight: 233.391

Physical Data

Appearance: Fine, white polymorphous crystals.

Melting point: 1580°C
Boiling point: -

Density: 4.49 g/cm3
Solubility: 0.00031 g/100 g H2O (20°C)
Solubility product: 1.08 x 10-10


Thermodynamic Data

Enthalpy of formation: -1473.2 kJ/mol
Gibbs energy of formation: -1362.2 kJ/mol

Entropy: 132.2 J/mol K
Heat capacity: 101.8 J/mol K


Production and preparation

Occurs in nature as barytes (barite or heavy spar), which is the chief ore of barium. It can be prepared as a precipitate by adding dilute sulfuric acid to barium chloride solution.


Behavior and Chemical Properties

It is practically insoluble in water, dilute acids and ethanol, but soluble in hot concentrated sulfuric acid. The rhombic form of the crystals can be changed to monoclinic form around 1149°C.


History and Uses

It is used in manufacture of photographic paper, artificial ivory, cellophane and filler for paper. For instance, baryta paper which is a paper coated on one side with an emulsion of barium sulfate and gelatine for photographic printing paper. Also useful as color pigment for paper and wallpaper and pigment extender in surface coating materials (blanc fixe).

It is also used as a suspension in the water for diagnostic aid and X-ray contrast medium of the stomach and intestine. The radiopaque property is also found its use in heavy concrete for radiation shield.


Hazard, Storage and Handling

Barium sulfate is stable in room temperature and decompose only at very high temperature to form oxides of sulfur, barium fume. Store in a cool, dry and well ventilated area and away from incompatible materials, such as aluminium.

Barium compounds are usually very poisonous, but the sulfate is quite safe because its extrememly low solubility in water. However, repeated exposure may cause baritosis characterized by deposition of particulate matter in the lung.

(Last update: November 2004)


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