Barium carbide

Chemical compound

Barium carbide
Names

IUPAC name Barium ethynediide
Other names Barium acetylide
Identifiers
CAS Number	50813-65-5
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChemSpider	13785937
EC Number	235-126-7
InChI InChI=1S/C2.Ba/c1-2;/q-2;+2 Key: DNQAUNUUVGPFFU-UHFFFAOYSA-N
SMILES [C-]#[C-].[Ba+2]
Properties
Chemical formula	BaC₂
Molar mass	161.35 g/mol
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

Chemical compound

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]

Preparation

Barium carbide can be synthesized as an impure compound by reducing barium carbonate powder with metallic magnesium in the presence of carbon-14.^[3] Carbon-14 containing barium carbide can also be made by reducing ¹⁴C carbon dioxide with hot barium metal at 600°C.^[4] These methods are used because of their high yield, and because the carbide is used to make acetylene. (Carbon-14 is not something to turn into a waste product.) It can also be prepared by heating a barium amalgam and carbon powder mixture in a hydrogen current. The pure compound is prepared by reducing barium oxide with carbon at high temperature.^[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.^[5]

Hazards

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

References

^ ^a ^b "Barium acetylide | C2Ba | ChemSpider". chemspider.com. Retrieved 2019-12-17.
^ "Barium Carbide". American Elements. Retrieved 2019-12-11.
^ 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).
^ Arrol, W. J.; Glascock, R. (1948). "308. The conversion of carbon dioxide into acetylene on the scale of 2—20 micromoles". J. Chem. Soc. 3: 1534–1537. doi:10.1039/JR9480001534. PMID 18101450.
^ ^a ^b "Barium Carbide, BaC2". barium.atomistry.com. Retrieved 2019-12-11.
^ "Carbide". InfoPlease. Retrieved 2019-12-11.