Barium Acetate Formula – Structure, Properties, Uses, Sample Questions

Barium (Ba) is a chemical element that is one of the alkaline earth metals of Group 2 (IIa) of the periodic table. The elements are used in metallurgy and their compounds are used in pyrotechnics, petroleum production, and radiology.

Acetate is a salt or ester of acetic acid. For example, the most common building material for the biosynthesis of fatty acids is Acetate. Acetate is a monocarboxylic acid anion produced by the removal of a proton from the carboxyl group of acetic acid.

What is Barium Acetate?

Barium acetate (Ba(C₂H₃O₂)₂) is a salt of Barium (II) and acetic acid. Although barium acetate is toxic to humans, it is used in chemistry and manufacturing. Barium acetate, also known as Barium acetic acid or Octane salt, is a salt used as a catalyst and is also a component of some pigments and paints.

Formula for Barium Acetate

Barium acetate is equipped with barium salt and acetic acid with the C₄H₆BaO₄ formula. This is a white powder that melts strongly in the water. This is usually generated by barium carbonate and acetic acid reactions. When heated in the air, the acetic acid barium is decomposed into carbonate. 

Structure of Barium Acetate

The condensed formula Ba(CH₃COO)₂ is formed by one barium cation attached to two CH₃COO acetate anions. The structure of the acetate ion is planar due to the pi bond between C=O. The geometry of the molecule is planar. Its chemical structure is the conventional notation used for organic molecules and can be written as,

Structure of Barium Acetate

Preparation of Barium Acetate 

• Barium acetate is produced by the reaction of acetic acid with barium carbonate.   

BaCO₃  +  2CH₃COOH  →  (CH₃COO)₂Ba  +  CO₂  +  H₂O  

This reaction occurs in solution. 

• Also, barium sulfide can be used in place of barium carbonate to prepare Barium acetate as,   

BaS  +  2CH₃COOH  →  (CH₃COO)₂Ba  +  H₂S  

So the solvent evaporates and barium acetate crystallizes.

Properties of Barium Acetate

Physical Properties

• Barium acetate has a simple physical structure that is white, crystallized, and odourless.
• The substance has a density of 2.46g/ml.
• At 450 degrees Fahrenheit, barium acetate decomposes
• The water solubility of barium acetate is high. But it is partially soluble in Methanol and Ethanol.
• When barium acetate is heated, it decomposes and produces barium carbonate.
• When a specific acid is reacted, it produces a variety of salts.
• Barium acetate has a molar mass of 255.42 g/mol.

Chemical Properties

Barium acetate can decompose when heated to form barium carbonate. It can also be used to form various salts when reacted with acids.

(CH₃COO)₂Ba  →  H₂O  +  BaCO₃

(CH₃COO)₂Ba  +  H₂SO₄  →  BaSO₄  +  CH₃COOH

Uses of Barium Acetate

• The second scope includes use in the formulation of pigments, paints, dyes, and coatings.
• It can also be used as a catalyst in organic synthesis.
• Used as a mordant for varnishes, drying paints, and printing textile fabrics.
• Used as a catalyst in organic synthesis.
• Used in the preparation of other acetates.

Sample Questions 

Question 1: Is barium acetate an acid or a base?

Answer: 

Barium acetate is (CH₃COO)₂Ba ionizes when dissolved in water, but is not fully (weak electrolyte) and does not undergo hydrolysis. Here, the acetate anion with hydrogen ion is a weak acid, and Ba(OH)₂ is a fairly strong base.

Question 2: Is barium acetate insoluble in water?

Answer: 

Barium compound, barium acetate, barium chloride, barium cyanide, barium hydroxide, and barium oxide are well soluble in water. Barium carbonate and barium sulfate are poorly soluble in water.

Question 3: How do we get barium poisoning?

Answer: 

Barium poisoning is rare and usually results from accidental contamination of food sources, suicidal thoughts, or occupational inhalation. Accidental mass poisoning is caused by the addition of barium carbonate to flour and contaminating table salt.

Question 4: Is the barium acetate ionic or molecular?

Answer: 

All metal acetates are inorganic salts containing a metal cation and an acetate anion. A monovalent (single-charged) polyatomic ion is ionically bonded to three hydrogen atoms and two oxygen atoms (Symbol: CH₃COO). It is a general formula for weight consisting of two carbon atoms. 59.05.

Question 5: Is the barium a cation? 

Answer: 

Yes, Barium is a cation because Barium (2+) is a barium cation, a divalent metal cation, and a monoatomic cation.