Barium Selenide, BaSe

Barium Selenide, BaSe, may be prepared by the reduction of barium selenate by hydrogen at 500° C., or by heating selenium with barium oxide or carbonate. It forms a white powder which is yellow when hot. If heated too strongly it becomes red, due to the separation of free selenium. It is readily oxidised in the air, and excess of bromine water rapidly transforms it into selenate.

The molecular heat of formation is 61.04 Cal.

Like the other alkaline earth selenides, barium selenide may be obtained in a phosphorescent state.