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	225.346 g/mol
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).

Barium oxalate (BaC₂O₄), a barium salt of oxalic acid, is a white odorless powder that is sometimes used as a green pyrotechnic colorant generally in specialized pyrotechnic compositions containing magnesium.

Properties

Though largely stable, barium oxalate can be reactive with strong acids. A mild skin irritant, the substance 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 the oxide form 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

• rec.pyrotechnics FAQ
• MSDS
• Barium Oxalate
• ChemSpider