Barium oxalate

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 metal powder. Flame color is rich and vivid without additional chlorine donors. Such compositions burn rate is satisfied without commonly used oxidizers as nitrates, chlorates and perchlorates.

Barium oxalate
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.007.471
UNII
  • InChI=1S/C2H2O4.Ba/c3-1(4)2(5)6;/h(H,3,4)(H,5,6);/q;+2/p-2 checkY
    Key: GXUARMXARIJAFV-UHFFFAOYSA-L checkY
  • InChI=1/C2H2O4.Ba/c3-1(4)2(5)6;/h(H,3,4)(H,5,6);/q;+2/p-2
    Key: GXUARMXARIJAFV-NUQVWONBAK
  • [Ba+2].[O-]C(=O)C([O-])=O
Properties
BaC2O4
Molar mass 225.346 g/mol
Density 2.658 g/cm3
Melting point 400 °C (752 °F; 673 K) (decomposes)
0.9290 mg/L
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Infobox references

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
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