Barium nitrate thermal decomposition

Barium nitrite [13465-94-6] Ba(N02)2, crystallines from aqueous solution as barium nitrite monohydrate [7787-38-4], Ba(N02)2 H2O, which has yellowish hexagonal crystals, sp gr 3.173, solubihty 54.8 g Ba(NO2)2/100 g H2O at 0°C, 319 g at 100°C. The monohydrate loses its water of crystallization at 116°C. Anhydrous barium nitrite, sp gr 3.234, melts at 267°C and decomposes at 270 °C into BaO, NO, and N2. Barium nitrite may be prepared by crystallization from a solution of equivalent quantities of barium chloride and sodium nitrite, by thermal decomposition of barium nitrate in an atmosphere of NO, or by treating barium hydroxide or barium carbonate with the gaseous oxidiation products of ammonia. It has been used in diazotization reactions. 

Catalytic elfects on the thermal decomposition and burning under nitrogen of the nitrate were determined for ammonium dichromate, potassium dichromate, potassium chromate, barium chloride, sodium chloride and potassium nitrate. Chromium(VI) salts are most effective in decomposition, and the halides salts during burning of the nitrate [1]. The effect of chromium compounds soluble in the molten nitrate, all of which promote decomposition of the latter, was studied (especially using ammonium dichromate) in kinetic experiments [2],... 

Catalysts suitable specifically for reduction of carbon-oxygen bonds are based on oxides of copper, zinc and chromium Adkins catalysts). The so-called copper chromite (which is not necessarily a stoichiometric compound) is prepared by thermal decomposition of ammonium chromate and copper nitrate [50]. Its activity and stability is improved if barium nitrate is added before the thermal decomposition [57]. Similarly prepared zinc chromite is suitable for reductions of unsaturated acids and esters to unsaturated alcohols [52]. These catalysts are used specifically for reduction of carbonyl- and carboxyl-containing compounds to alcohols. Aldehydes and ketones are reduced at 150-200° and 100-150 atm, whereas esters and acids require temperatures up to 300° and pressures up to 350 atm. Because such conditions require special equipment and because all reductions achievable with copper chromite catalysts can be accomplished by hydrides and complex hydrides the use of Adkins catalyst in the laboratory is very limited. 

It may be also prepared by thermal decomposition of barium nitrate. 

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