BARIUM CYANIDE

Chemical Properties

Barium cyanide is a white crystalline powder. Often used in solution.

Physical properties

White crystalline powder; slowly decomposes in air; highly soluble in water, soluble in alcohol.

Uses

In electroplating processes; in metallurgy.

Preparation

Barium cyanide is prepared by reacting barium hydroxide with hydrocyanic acid:
Ba(OH)₂ + 2HCN → Ba(CN)₂ +2H₂O
The product is crystallized from the solution.

General Description

A white crystalline solid. Toxic by skin absorption through open wounds, by ingestion, and by inhalation of hydrogen cyanide from decomposition. Toxic oxides of nitrogen are produced in fires involving BARIUM CYANIDE.

Air & Water Reactions

Soluble in water. Gradually decomposed by water and rapidly decomposed by acids to give off hydrogen cyanide, a flammable poison gas.

Reactivity Profile

BARIUM CYANIDE is an inorganic cyanide. Members of this class that contain heavy metals tend to explosive instability, most of them are capable of violent oxidation under certain conditions; fusion of metal cyanides with metal chlorates, perchlorates, nitrates, or nitrites can cause violent explosion [Bretherick 1979 p. 101].

Hazard

Questionable carcinogen.

Health Hazard

INHALATION OR INGESTION: Exposure to cyanides can cause headache, vertigo, nausea, and vomiting may occur at low concentrations. High concentration causes difficult breathing, palpitation, paralysis, unconsciousness, respiratory arrest, cyanosis, and death. EYES: Irritation. SKIN: Rash, desquamation and itching.

Fire Hazard

Special Hazards of Combustion Products: Toxic cyanides and barium oxides.

Safety Profile

A deadly poison. See also CYANIDE and BARIUM COMPOUNDS (soluble). When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of CN-.

Potential Exposure

Barium cyanide is used in electroplating and in metallurgy.

Shipping

UN1565 Barium cyanide, Hazard Class: 6.1; Labels: 6.1—Poisonous materials.

Incompatibilities

Solution is basic. Incompatible with oxidizers (chlorates, nitrates, peroxides, permanganates, perchlorates, chlorine, bromine, fluorine, etc.); contact may cause fires or explosions. Keep away from alkaline materials, strong acids, & acid salts (release toxic hydrogen cyanide gas), strong bases.

Waste Disposal

Precipitate barium with sulfate. Then add with stirring to alkaline calcium hypochlorite solution. Let stand 24 hours, then flush to sewer.

Raw materials

Preparation Products