Barium bromide is a precursor to chemicals used in photography and to other bromides. Historically, barium bromide was used to purify radium in a process of fractional crystallization devised by Marie Curie.
The barium bromide compound is a white crystalline powder. BaBr2 compound contains three units that are bonded covalently.
The bond formed between barium and bromine atom is formed by the transfer of electrons from barium metal to bromine non-metal, so barium and bromine form ionic bonds. Therefore, barium and bromine form an ionic compound.
Barium bromide crystallizes from concentrated aqueous solution in its dihydrate , BaBr2·2H2O. Heating this dihydrate to 120 °C gives the anhydrous salt.