Inorganic Chemistry: A common experience of people who prepare solutions of meta
ID: 992240 • Letter: I
Question
Inorganic Chemistry: A common experience of people who prepare solutions of metal salts such as SnCl2, Hg(NO3)2, and BiCL3 and get a cloudy solution is to assume that their compound or the water was contaminated; hence they throw away the solution and try again, only to get the same result. What is the precipitae formed (I think is an insoluble metal hydroxide)? What should be added to the solution to produce a clear (transparent) solution of these metal ions? and why? Be specific in naming a substance to add. (Note: a clear solution is the sole purpose here)
Explanation / Answer
When it is added to water Sn2+ ion precipitates as Sn(OH)2 , Hg2+ as HgCl2 and Bi2+ as Bi(OH)2 . It forms white turbidity. To dissolve these a strong acid must be added to the solution until the turbidity completely dissolves.