Barium Iodide: Overview, Questions, Preparation

Barium iodide is an inorganic solution with the chemical formula of BaI2. When hydrated barium iodide is heated, it converts into an anhydrous salt which is a white solid. The hydrated form of barium iodide is highly dissolvable in water and alcohol. Barium iodide is odorless and is in the form of a white solid. The pH level of barium iodide is 7 or less than 7.

IUPAC name of barium iodide: barium (2+) diiodide

The following image defines the structure and the formula of Barium Iodide –

As stated earlier, the chemical formula of barium iodide is BaI2. It occurs naturally in two forms, a dihydrate, and an anhydrous form. The dihydrate form occurs when the barium iodide molecule attaches to 2 water molecules—the chemical formula changes to Bal2.2H2O. Anhydrous barium iodide does not have any water molecules; however, it can be obtained by heating the dehydrated barium iodide and let the water molecules evaporate. They turn into crystalline solids.

1. When barium iodide and potassium bromide reacts with each other, they form a yellow spark of potassium bromide and barium iodide:

KBr + BaI₂ → KI + BaBr₂

2. When barium iodide reacts with sodium sulphate, barium sulphate is formed, and the chemical reaction is as follows:

BaI₂ + Na₂SO₄ → BaSO₄ + NaI

The barium iodide can be used in several ways which are as follows:

1. Barium iodide cannot be used for medical use. However, it is used to prepare barium dioxide, which can be used for limited medical use and other organic compounds.
2. It can be used in the manufacturing of some other iodide solutions or compounds.
3. It is used to compression copper castings in the paper before the actual electrochemical compounding work.

This topic Barium Iodide and the parent chapter – Acids, bases, and salts holds a significant weightage of 4-5 marks as per the rules for this year 2021. This chapter will hold 1 short objective type question of 1 mark, followed by another three short questions of 1 mark each, bring the totality of marks to 4.

1. What is the nature of the packing structure of Barium Iodide?

Answer: Barium Iodide is crystalline in nature when defining it in terms of the packaging structure. One of the other traits of this compound is that it's very toxic as well.

2. Explain the solubility of Barium Iodide in alcohol or ether.

Answer: Barium Iodide at a molecular level can make hydrogen bonds and is readily soluble with alcohols and ethers.

3. Name the essential two compounds which are present in Barium Iodide.

Answer: Barium (CID 5355457) and Hydriodic acid (CID 24841) are the two main compound components that literally make the most of Barium Iodide.

Image Source: NCERT

Q: What is the covalently bonded unit of barium iodide?

Q: Is barium iodide soluble?

Q: What happens when barium iodide and potassium bromide react with each other?

Q: What is the molecular weight of barium iodide?

Q: Is barium iodide an ionic compound or covalent?