Barium Iodide - BaI₂

What is Barium Iodide?

Barium iodide (Bal₂) obtained by the decomposition of the barium by means of metallic sodium. Barium iodide crystallises in small, colourless needles, which deliquesce slightly, and are very soluble in water. Barium (Gk barys, heavy) is a heavy metal, first isolated by Sir Humphry Davy in England by electrolysis of molten barium salts in 1808. It is prepared by the action of hydroiodic acid on barium hydroxide or barium carbonate solution.

IUPAC name – barium(2+) diiodide

Table of Content

• Structure of Barium Iodide
• Chemical data on Barium Iodide
• Physical properties of Barium Iodide
• Chemical Properties of Barium Iodide
• Uses of Barium Iodide
• FAQs

Barium Iodide Structure – BaI₂

Chemical data of Barium Iodide- BaI₂

Physical Properties of Barium Iodide – BaI₂

Chemical Properties of Barium Iodide – BaI₂

• • Barium iodide reacts with potassium bromide forming a yellow precipitate of potassium iodide and barium bromide.

KBr + BaI₂ → KI + BaBr₂

• • Barium sulphate is formed when barium iodide is treated with sodium sulphate. The chemical equation is given below.

BaI₂ + Na₂SO₄ → BaSO₄ + NaI

Uses of Barium Iodide – BaI₂

• Used in the preparation of barium dioxide, but has no medicinal use
• Used in the manufacture of other iodide compounds.
• Used to densify the copper castings described in a paper before the Electrochemical Society.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the uses of barium iodide?

Barium iodide is widely used in the manufacturing of other important compounds of iodine. This compound is also used to prepare barium dioxide.

Is barium iodide covalent or ionic?

Comment on the structure of barium iodide.

Is BaI₂ an acid or base?