Barium Chloride

Barium chloride is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula BaCl2. It is a white crystalline solid that is highly soluble in water. Barium chloride is commonly used in laboratory experiments as a source of barium ions.

One important property of barium chloride is its ability to react with sulfate ions (SO42-) to form a precipitate of barium sulfate (BaSO4). This reaction can be used as a test for the presence of sulfate ions in a sample solution.

Barium chloride can also be used in the production of other chemicals, such as barium oxide and hydroxide. In industry, it is commonly used as a component in oil well drilling fluids and as a corrosion inhibitor in metalworking fluids.

However, barium chloride is toxic and can be harmful if ingested or inhaled. It should be handled with care and proper protective equipment must be worn when working with it. Additionally, it should not be disposed of improperly, as it can have negative environmental impacts.