Barium carbide

Barium carbide
Names
IUPAC name
Barium ethynediide
Other names
Barium acetylide
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChemSpider
EC Number
  • 235-126-7
  • InChI=1S/C2.Ba/c1-2;/q-2;+2
    Key: DNQAUNUUVGPFFU-UHFFFAOYSA-N
  • [C-]#[C-].[Ba+2]
Properties
BaC2
Molar mass 161.349 g·mol−1
Appearance black crystalline solid
Density 3.75 g/cm3
Related compounds
Other cations
  • Calcium carbide
  • Strontium carbide
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 BaC2.[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

  1. ^ a b "Barium acetylide | C2Ba | ChemSpider". chemspider.com. Retrieved 2019-12-17.
  2. ^ "Barium Carbide". American Elements. Retrieved 2019-12-11.
  3. ^ Mishin, V. I.; Georgievskij, S. S.; Eksel', L. M.; Koval', A. I.; Afanas'eva, L. A.; Puchkov, L. D.; Ulybin, V. B. (1989-12-07). "Method for preparation of barium carbide labelled by carbon 14" (in Russian).
  4. ^ Arrol, W. J.; Glascock, R. (1948). "The conversion of carbon dioxide into acetylene on the scale of 2–20 micromoles". Journal of the Chemical Society: 1534–1537. doi:10.1039/JR9480001534. PMID 18101450.
  5. ^ "Barium Carbide, BaC2". atomistry.com. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
  6. ^ "Carbide". InfoPlease. Retrieved 2019-12-11.
  7. ^ "Barium Carbide, BaC2". barium.atomistry.com. Retrieved 2019-12-11.