Barium oxalate

Barium oxalate
Identifiers
CAS Number	516-02-9 ;
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image;
ChemSpider	61508 ;
ECHA InfoCard	100.007.471
PubChem CID	68201;
UNII	54R8VVF8ZK ;
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID20883418 ;
	InChI InChI=1S/C2H2O4.Ba/c3-1(4)2(5)6;/h(H,3,4)(H,5,6);/q;+2/p-2 Key: GXUARMXARIJAFV-UHFFFAOYSA-L ; InChI=1/C2H2O4.Ba/c3-1(4)2(5)6;/h(H,3,4)(H,5,6);/q;+2/p-2 Key: GXUARMXARIJAFV-NUQVWONBAK;
	SMILES [Ba+2].[O-]C(=O)C([O-])=O;
Properties
Chemical formula	BaC2O4
Molar mass	225.345 g·mol−1
Appearance	White powder
Odor	Odorless
Density	2.658 g/cm3
Melting point	400 °C (752 °F; 673 K) (decomposes)
Solubility in water	0.9290 mg/L
	Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). verify (what is ?) Infobox references

Barium oxalate is a chemical compound with the chemical formula Ba C₂O₄. It is a barium salt of oxalic acid. It consists of barium cations Ba²⁺ and oxalate anions C₂O2−4. It is a white odorless powder that is sometimes used as a green pyrotechnic colorant generally in specialized pyrotechnic compositions containing magnesium metal powder. Flame color is rich and vivid without additional chlorine donors. Such compositions burn rate is satisfied without commonly used oxidizers as nitrates, chlorates and perchlorates.

Properties

Though largely stable, barium oxalate can be reactive with strong acids. A mild skin irritant, the compound is considered toxic when ingested, causing nausea, vomiting, kidney failure, and injury to the gastrointestinal tract.

It is different from most pyrotechnic colorants in that it is a reducing agent and not an oxidizing agent. It is extremely insoluble in water and converts to barium oxide when heated.

Preparation

The raw materials that are required to prepare barium oxalate are oxalic acid and barium hydroxide (or its octahydrate).

It can also be prepared by using an oxalic acid solution and a barium chloride solution, with the reaction as follows:

BaCl₂ + H₂C₂O₄ → BaC₂O₄↓ + 2 HCl

References