Barium oxide

Description

An alkaline, white powder or mass that readily absorbs water and dioxide carbon dioxide from the air. Barium oxide is used as a dehydrating agent and as a glaze ingredient.

Synonyms and Related Terms

barium monoxide; barium protoxide; calcined baryta; heavy earth

Chemical structure

Other Properties

Reacts exothermically with water to form barium hydroxide. Soluble in water, dilute acids and methanol.

Composition	BaO
CAS	1304-28-5
Melting Point	1923
Density	5.7
Molecular Weight	mol. wt. = 153.33
Refractive Index	1.980

Hazards and Safety

Highly toxic by ingestion. Contact with skin and membranes may cause irritation. Reaction with water can be violent.

International Chemical Safety Card

Authority

• G.S.Brady, G.S.Brady, Materials Handbook, McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971 Comment: p. 84

• Richard S. Lewis, Richard S. Lewis, Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 10th ed., 1993

• Susan E. Schur, Susan E. Schur, Conservation Terminology: A review of Past & Current Nomenclature of Materials, Technology and Conservation, Spring (p.34-39); Summer (p.35-38); Fall (p.25-36), 1985

• Michael McCann, Michael McCann, Artist Beware, Watson-Guptill Publications, New York City, 1979

• Van Nostrand's Scientific Encyclopedia, Douglas M. Considine (ed.), Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1976

• Random House, Random House, Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, Grammercy Book, New York, 1997

• The Merck Index, Martha Windholz (ed.), Merck Research Labs, Rahway NJ, 10th edition, 1983 Comment: entry 1015

• CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, Robert Weast (ed.), CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida, v. 61, 1980 Comment: ref. index=1.980