Barium sulfate

 

Barium sulfate

Chemical formula	{{#Chem:BaSO4}}
Molar Mass(g/mol)	233.43
Density(g/cc)	4.3
Melting Point(°C)	1345
Boiling Point(°C)	1600
Solubility in water(g/L)	.0024
NFPA 704	0 0 0

Barium sulfate is a radiographic contrast agent that is supplied as white to lightly colored powder for suspension (40% w/w) for oral administration. Formulations can contain excipients including: artificial candied sugar flavor, carrageenan, citric acid, ethyl vanillin, natural and artificial orange flavor, polysorbate 80, saccharin sodium, simethicone, sodium citrate, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, sorbitol and xanthan gum.

Uses

Primary

• WHO LEM radiocontrast agent

Other

• Precursor to barium sulfide, thence to all barium salts

Natural occurrence

• The mineral barite is primarily barium sulfate.

Hazards

• GRAS

Production

WARNING: Like calcium sulfate, this is a "terminal chemical". Producing this compound at scale for any purpose is a bad idea, logistically. Every mol of sulfate ions trapped in this material is one mol of sulfuric acid lost.

Synthesis

• Combining any soluble barium salt (e.g. barium chloride) with any soluble sulfate salt (e.g. sodium sulfate or copper sulfate) will yield a precipitate of barium sulfate.

Extraction

• Naturally occurring barite is primarily barium sulfate/