Question

Determine whether aqueous solutions of the following salts are acidic, basic, or neutral.

(a)

MgC₂O₄

acidicbasic    neutral

(b)

C₅H₅NHCl

acidicbasic    neutral

(c)

CrCl₃

acidicbasic    neutral

(d)

CsClO₄

acidicbasic    neutral

Answer 1

(a)

MgC2O4

Mg+2 + C2O4-2

C2O4-2 + H2O <-> HC2O4- + OH-

this is slighlty basic, due to OH-

acidic basic    neutral

(b)

C5H5NHCl

C5H5NH++ Cl-

C5H5NH+ --> C5H5N + H+

acidic due to H+

acidic basic    neutral

(c)

CrCl3

acidic basic    neutral

CrCl3 --> Cr+3 + 3Cl-

Cr+3 + 3H2O <-> Cr(OH)3 + 6H+

acidic due to H+

(d)

CsClO4

acidic basic    neutral

Cs + + ClO4-forms, which is not hydrolysing