What is Barium hydroxide?
'''Barium hydroxide''' is a [[chemical compound]]. Its chemical formula is Ba(OH)<sub>2</sub>. It contains [[barium]] and [[hydroxide]] [[ion]]s. ==Properties== Barium hydroxide is a white solid. It dissolves in water to make a [[base (chemistry)|basic]] solution. It decomposes to [[barium oxide]] when heated in a [[vacuum]]. It reacts with [[carbon dioxide]] to make [[barium carbonate]]. It reacts with any [[sulfate]] to make [[barium sulfate]]. It reacts with [[hydrogen sulfide]] to make [[barium sulfide]]. ==Preparation== It is made by dissolving barium oxide in water. ==Uses== Barium hydroxide is used in [[wikt:titration|titration]]s. If sodium hydroxide solution is used, some sodium carbonate may be in there. It is less basic than sodium hydroxide, so the titration can be messed up. When barium hydroxide reacts with carbon dioxide to make barium carbonate, it forms a white solid that can be removed. It is used as a strong base in [[organic chemistry]]. It is used to clean up sulfuric acid spills by making barium sulfate. It can also be used for removing [[ink]] marks from [[clothes]]. ==Safety== Barium hydroxide is corrosive because it is basic. It is also toxic because of barium ions. ==Related pages== *[[Barium peroxide]] [[Category:Barium compounds]]