Barium oxide
Barium oxide, BaO, is a white hygroscopic compound formed by the burning of barium in oxygen, although it is often formed through the decomposition of other barium salts.
2Ba + O2 → 2BaO
BaCO3 → BaO + CO2
It transforms into barium hydroxide on contact with water.
BaO + H2O → Ba(OH)2
Uses
Barium oxide is used as a coating for hot cathodes, and in cathode ray tubes. It replaced lead(II) oxide in the production of certain kinds of glass such as optical crown glass. While lead oxide raised the refractive index, it also raised the dispersive power, which barium oxide does not alter. Barium oxide also has use as an ethoxylation catalyst in the reaction of ethylene oxide and alcohols, which takes place between 150 and 200°C.
Preparation
Barium oxide is made by heating barium carbonate with coke, carbon black or tar. It may also be prepared by thermal decomposition of barium nitrate.
Safety issues
Barium oxide is an irritant. If it contacts the skin or the eyes or is inhaled it causes pain and redness. However, it is more dangerous when ingested. It can cause nausea and diarrhea, muscle paralysis, cardiac arrhythmia, and can cause death. If ingested, medical attention should be sought immediately.
Barium oxide should not be released environmentally; it is harmful to aquatic organisms.
Translation of "Barium oxide"
Arabic: أكسيد الباريوم, Catalan: Òxid de bari, Danish: Bariumoxid, German: Bariumoxid, Spanish: Óxido de bario, Latvian: Bārija oksīds, Hungarian: Bárium-oxid, Dutch: Bariumoxide, Japanese: 酸化バリウム, Polish: Tlenek baru, Portuguese: Óxido de bário, Russian: Оксид бария, Vietnamese: Ôxít bari, Chinese: 氧化钡.
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