Chemistry:Barium carbide

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Short description: Chemical compound
Barium carbide
Names
IUPAC name
Barium ethynediide
Other names
Barium acetylide
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChemSpider
EC Number
  • 235-126-7
Properties
BaC
2
Molar mass 161.349 g·mol−1
Appearance black crystalline solid
Density 3.75 g/cm3
Related compounds
Other cations
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references

Barium carbide (also referred to as barium ethynediide or barium acetylide)[1] is a chemical compound in the carbide family having the chemical formula BaC
2
.[2] It consists of barium cations Ba2+ and acetylide anions
C≡C
.

Preparation

Barium carbide (BaC2) can be synthesized by several high-temperature reduction methods. An impure form of the compound is obtained by reducing powdered barium carbonate with metallic magnesium in the presence of carbon.[3]

Another laboratory-scale method involves the direct reduction of carbon dioxide with heated metallic barium at approximately 600 °C, producing barium carbide as an intermediate in studies of acetylene formation.[4]

Barium carbide may also be prepared by heating a mixture of a barium amalgam and powdered carbon under a stream of hydrogen, which facilitates the removal of mercury and promotes carbide formation.

The pure compound is typically obtained by carbothermal reduction of barium oxide with carbon at elevated temperatures, a method analogous to the industrial preparation of other alkaline earth metal carbides.[5]

Properties

Barium carbide reacts similarly to calcium carbide,[6] but it's more fusible. When exposed to extreme heat, the barium will evaporate leaving behind crystals of graphite. It can also absorb the carbon in a solution at high temperature.[7]

Hazards

Barium carbide can cause damage to the GI tract and irritation in the skin and eyes.[1]

References

Template:Carbides