Barium Bromide: Structure, Properties and Uses

Barium Bromide is a metallic alkaline chemical compound. It is an earth metal and a compound that is highly reactive with air, due to which it never occurs in pure form. Barium Bromide is inorganic, white in color and is soluble in water. It is also known as barium bromide anhydrous or barium (2+) dibromide. The chemical formula of Barium Bromide is BaBr2.

Also Read: Chemical Kinetics 

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Production of Barium Bromide

Barium Bromide is also called Barium Dibromide and its chemical formula is BaBr2. Barium Bromide can be prepared in two ways. The following is the detailed explanation of the formation of Barium Bromide with chemical equations:

1. Barium Bromide can be formed by the reaction of Barium Sulphide and Hydrogen Bromide. The resultant of this reaction is the formation of Barium Bromide and Hydrogen Sulphide.

          BaS + 2HBr → BaBr + H₂S

2. Barium Bromide can also be formed by the reaction of Barium Carbonate and Hydrogen Bromide. The resultant of this reaction is the formation of Barium Bromide, Carbon Dioxide and water. Following is the chemical reaction that takes place:

          BaCO₃ + 2HBr → BaBr₂ +  CO₂ + H₂O

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Structure of Barium Bromide

In Barium Bromide, the number of hydrogen bond donors equals zero whereas the number of hydrogen bond acceptors equals to 2. Barium bromide is canonicalized and has three covalently bonded units.

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Chemical Properties of Barium Bromide

• On heating at a temperature of around 120^o, the aqueous solution of Barium Bromide, i.e., BaBr₂.2H₂O, gives rise to an anhydrous form. This way, Barium Bromide can also be crystallized from the solution.
• Barium Bromide in its salt state crystallizes in lead chloride motif, thereby resulting in the formation of white crystals. These white crystals are orthorhombic in structure and deliquescent in nature.
• Barium Bromide can also be formed by reacting Barium Sulphide and Hydrogen Bromide with Hydrochloric acid (HCl).

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Properties of Barium Bromide

Barium Bromide belongs to a family of inorganic compounds, which are called alkaline earth metal bromides. Bromine is the largest halogen atom in Barium Bromide. Also, the heaviest metal atom in this compound is lanthanide.

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Uses of Barium Bromide

1. Barium Bromide is the foundation on which various chemicals are used in photography. In fact, barium bromide is one of the chemicals that is used to form many other chemicals which are used in ion photography.
2. Barium Bromide was used in the process of fractional crystallization. This process was carried out to purify radium. As a matter of fact, the process of fractional crystallization was employed and devised by Marie Curie.
3. Barium Bromide is also used as a main chemical in the preparation of other Bromides.
4. Barium Bromide is also used in the formation of phosphorus

Also Read: Zone Refining 

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Health Hazards of Barium Bromide

1. When unknowingly consumed, Barium Bromide can cause severe poisoning.
2. Barium that is present in Barium Bromide can cause paralysis. Barium can cause the blockage of the passive influx of intracellular potassium. This can result in the transfer of potassium from the extracellular chamber to the intracellular. This, in turn, reduces resting membrane potential which makes muscle fibers electrically unexcitable.
3. The formation of bromic acid can lead to secondary irritation. In fact, bromides can also cause bromism, thereby impacting the Central Nervous System.

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Things to Remember Based on Barium Bromide

• Barium Bromide is also called barium bromide anhydrous or barium (2+) dibromide.
• The chemical formula of Barium Bromide is BaBr².
• Barium bromide can be formed by reacting Barium Sulphide or Barium Carbonate with Hydrogen Sulphide or Hydrochloric Acid.
• Barium Bromide is in the salt state when in aqueous form.
• Barium Bromide can be crystallized from a solution on heating at a temperature of around 120^o.
• Barium Bromide finds extensive usage in the preparation of other chemicals in photography, manufacture of other bromides and formation of phosphorus.

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