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Barium sulfate

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Identification
Molecular formula
BaSO4
CAS number
7727-43-7
IUPAC name
barium(2+);sulfate
State
State

At room temperature, barium sulfate is a solid. It remains stable and does not change its state under normal conditions.

Melting point (Celsius)
1 580.00
Melting point (Kelvin)
1 853.00
Boiling point (Celsius)
1 600.00
Boiling point (Kelvin)
1 873.00
General information
Molecular weight
233.39g/mol
Molar mass
233.3890g/mol
Density
4.5000g/cm3
Appearence

Barium sulfate is a white crystalline solid that often appears as a fine powder. It is opaque and can be used as a pigment. When used in its purest form, it provides a bright white color.

Comment on solubility

Solubility of Barium Sulfate

Barium sulfate, represented by the chemical formula Bariumsulfate or BaSO4, is known for its notably low solubility in water. This compound can be characterized by the following key points:

  • Solubility Product: The solubility product constant (Ksp) for barium sulfate is quite low, approximately 1.0 x 10-10 at 25°C, indicating that it is only sparingly soluble.
  • Water Interaction: In water, BaSO4 will dissolve to a very minimal extent, which makes it an ideal substance for various applications including medical imaging, where its radiopacity is essential.
  • Temperature Dependence: Its solubility slightly increases with rising temperature; however, it remains low even at elevated temperatures.
  • Acid Effects: Barium sulfate is more soluble in acidic conditions due to the reaction of barium ions with sulfate ions, leading to the formation of soluble species.
  • Low Toxicity: While its low solubility means barium sulfate is relatively safe for ingestion in the context of diagnostic use, it is always important to handle it carefully in non-medical settings.

In conclusion, the low solubility of BaSO4 is a defining characteristic that influences its use in various fields, making it a fascinating compound to study in terms of chemical behavior.

Interesting facts

Interesting Facts about Barium Sulfate

Barium sulfate is an intriguing compound with several notable properties and applications, especially in the field of medicine and industry. Here are some key points that highlight its significance:

  • Medical Imaging: One of the most prominent uses of barium sulfate is in medical imaging. It is commonly used as a contrast agent in radiology, particularly in barium swallows and enemas, allowing for enhanced visualization of the gastrointestinal tract during X-ray examinations.
  • Inert Nature: Barium sulfate is known for its inertness in biological systems. This property makes it safe for use in medical contexts, as it is not absorbed by the body and is excreted unchanged.
  • Industrial Applications: Beyond its medical applications, barium sulfate is also utilized in various industrial sectors. It is frequently used as a white pigment in paints, plastics, and paper due to its brightness and opacity.
  • Radiation Shielding: Due to its high density, barium sulfate is also employed as an effective material for radiation shielding in certain applications, providing protection against X-rays.
  • Environmental Considerations: While barium sulfate is generally considered safe, the handling of other barium compounds can pose environmental risks. Proper precautions must be taken to avoid the release of toxic barium ions into ecosystems.

In conclusion, barium sulfate is a multifaceted compound with crucial roles in both healthcare and industry. Its unique properties demonstrate the intersection of chemistry and practical applications, making it a fascinating subject of study for both students and professionals in chemical sciences.

Synonyms
BARIUM SULFATE
7727-43-7
Barytes
Barium sulphate
Barosperse
Esophotrast
Macropaque
Micropaque
Microtrast
Radiobaryt
Radiopaque
Barotrast
Liquipake
EntroBar
EneMark
Blanc fixe
EneCat
Enamel White
Readi-CAT
Liquid E-Z-Paque
Actybaryte
Bakontal
Baraflave
Barodense
Baroloid
Baryxine
Bayrites
Citobaryum
Colonatrast
Danobaryt
Finemeal
Intropaque
Lactobaryt
Liquibarine
Microbar
Microfanox
Neobalgin
Novopaque
Oratrast
Supramike
Suspobar
Tonopaque
Topcontral
Unibaryt
Baricon
Baridol
Barobag
Barocat
Basofor
E-Z-Paque
Eweiss
Mixobar
Neobar
Oesobar
Polibar
Raybar
Tixobar
Travad
Rugar
Barii sulphas
Baryx Colloidal
Permanent White
PrepCat
Barium Andreu
EneSet
Gastropaque-S
HiTone
Liquid Polibar
Radimix Colon
Baritogen deluxe
Baryta White
Mikabarium B
Mikabarium F
Recto Barium
Barosperse II
Micropaque RD
Radio-Baryx
Sparkle Granules
Umbrasol A
Artificial barite
Baritop P
Barium sulfuricum
Redi-Flow
Liquid Barosperse
Bar-Test
Gel-Unix
Unit-Pak
Baritop G Powder
E-Z Preparations
Esopho-CAT
Ultra-R
Veri-O-Pake
X-Opac
Barosperse 110
Sol-O-Pake
Barytes 22
Epi-C
Liquid Polibar Plus
Liquid Sol-O-Pake
Artificial heavy spar
Baritop 100
E-Z-HD
Volumen
Baryum (sulfate de)
Readi-CAT 2
Spezialsorte ai
Barium 100
BaSO4
Epi-Stat 57
Epi-Stat 61
Barii sulfas
BF 10 (sulfate)
TonoJug 2000
Caswell No. 071B
Tagitol V
Barium sulphate, natural
Readi-cat2
Barium sulfate (1:1)
Barium sulfate (BaSO4)
HD 200 Plus
E-Z-AC
E-Z-Paste esophageal cream
Esophotrast esophageal cream
Precipitated barium sulphate
CI 77120
Readi-cat2 smoothies
Varibar Nectar
HSDB 5041
BA147
HD 85
SS 50
UNII-25BB7EKE2E
Sachtoperse ab-tm 18383
EINECS 231-784-4
25BB7EKE2E
EPA Pesticide Chemical Code 007502
VARIBAR
AI3-03611
Readi-Cat 2 Smoothies
C.I. 77120
Barium sulfate [USP:JAN]
DTXSID0050471
CHEBI:133326
EC 231-784-4
READI-CAT 2 COMPONENT BARIUM SULFATE
Barium sulfate (USP:JAN)
BARIUM SULFATE (II)
BARIUM SULFATE [II]
BARIUM SULFATE (MART.)
BARIUM SULFATE [MART.]
BARIUM SULFATE (EP MONOGRAPH)
BARIUM SULFATE [EP MONOGRAPH]
Sulfate, Barium
BARIUM SULFATE (USP MONOGRAPH)
BARIUM SULFATE [USP MONOGRAPH]
Barytes (natural)
231-784-4
Steripaque
Bario sulfato
Sulfato barico
Eweisse-Z-paque
Vanilla SilQ
NeuLumEX
Vizumax HD
Vizumax ENEM
Vanilla SilQ HD
Vanilla SilQ MD
Ba (sulfate)
E-Z-Paste
E-Z-Disk
PRONTOBARIO
SPARMITE
Caswell No 071B
SACHTOPERSE HP
SACHTOPERSE HU
VARIBAR HONEY
VARIBAR PUDDING
BIANCO FISSO
BARITE BA
BARITE BC
BARITE BD
BLANC FIX
HEAVY SPAR
BLANC FIXE FX
BLANC FIXE F
BLANC FIXE N
BB-MICRO SP
BLANC FIXE MICRO
BMH-D
BARIFINE BF 1L
AIRWHITE AW 5
BARIFINE BF 1
BMH (SULFATE)
BLANC FIXE XR-HX
HD (SULFATE)
ST (SULFATE)
BARIFINE BF 21F
DIAMELIA 16
E-Z-CAT DRY
UD (FILLER)
VARIBAR THIN HONEY
BARIFINE BF 10
BARIFINE BF 20
BARIFINE BF 21
BARIFINE BF 40
BLANC FIXE K 3
BARITA W 2
VARIBAR THIN LIQUID
BARIACE B 30
BARIACE B 54
MICROBAR 139
BLANC FIXE HD 80
BARYTES 290
ENTERO VU 24%
A 15 (inorganic compound)
BF 1H
BF 1L
Readi-Cat 2 Berry Smoothie
SS 50 (SULFATE)
B 32 (SULFATE)
B 33 (SULFATE)
B 34 (SULFATE)
B 54 (SULFATE)
B 55 (SULFATE)
CHEROKEE BARYTE 290
P 25 (SULFATE)
Readi-Cat 2 Banana Smoothie
READI-CAT 2 SMOOTHIE
Barium Sulfate For Suspension
A 200 (SULFATE)
C 300 (SULFATE)
B 20HD
BF 20P
BF 21F
BC (INORGANIC COMPOUND)
SACHTOPERSE HU-N SPEZIAL
DTXCID0029474
Readi-Cat 2 Mochaccino Smoothie
BMH 100
PRECIPITATED BARIUM SULFATE
BF 10
BF 20
BF 21
BF 33
BF 40
C 14 (INORGANIC COMPOUND)
BM 110
L 100 (INORGANIC COMPOUND)
Readi-Cat 2 Creamy Vanilla Smoothie
A 15
B 30
B 33
B 34
B 54
B 55
C 14
C 300
BARIUM SULFATE COMPONENT OF READI-CAT 2
F 8660
W 1
barium sulfate (acgih:osha)
ud
Barite
Barite (Ba(SO4))
Baritop
13462-86-7
barium(2+);sulfate
Sulfuric acid, barium salt (1:1)
BARIMITE-XF
MFCD00003455
Barytgen
Baryte
Barium sulfate [JAN]
barium- sulphate
Baricon (TN)
EINECS 236-664-5
Barium Sulfate Powder
Barium sulfate, Puratronic?
BARIUM SULFATE [MI]
Barium sulfate (JP17/USP)
BARIUM SULFATE [HSDB]
BARIUM SULFATE [VANDF]
BARIUM SULFATE [WHO-DD]
BARIUM SULFATE [WHO-IP]
CHEMBL2105897
BARII SULFAS [WHO-IP LATIN]
BARIUM SULFATE [ORANGE BOOK]
AKOS015902784
DB11150
NS00074386
D02052
Q309038
SR-01000944372
SR-01000944372-1