Barium Hydroxide (Ba(OH)₂) is an inorganic compound that is widely used in laboratory settings for a variety of chemical reactions and industrial applications. It is typically available in both the anhydrous form and the octahydrate form. In its solid form, it is a white crystalline compound, and its solution in water is strongly alkaline.

KEY FEATURES:

1. Purity: As a chemical reagent, Barium Hydroxide is typically supplied with high purity, making it suitable for use in analytical chemistry and titration.
2. Appearance: White crystalline solid or powder. The octahydrate form may appear as colorless crystals with a slight moisture content.
3. Solubility: Soluble in water, especially the anhydrous form of Barium Hydroxide, which forms a highly alkaline solution of Barium Hydroxide (Ba(OH)₂). 
4. Alkaline Nature: When dissolved in water, Barium Hydroxide dissociates to produce Ba²⁺ ions and OH⁻ ions, making the solution highly alkaline.
5. Chemical Analysis: Barium Hydroxide is used in titration to determine the concentration of weak acids. It can also be used to precipitate sulfate ions (SO₄²⁻) as barium sulfate (BaSO₄).
6. Industrial Uses: Used in the purification of lubricating oils and as a chemical intermediate in the production of other barium compounds.
7. Water Treatment: Used in water treatment processes to remove sulfate ions and soften hard water.
8. Inorganic Synthesis: Used in the production of other barium compounds, such as barium carbonate (BaCO₃) and barium sulfate (BaSO₄).