Rules for Learning the Solubility of Ionic Compounds in Water
Negative Ions | + | Positive Ions | = | Solubility of compounds in water | Example |
(Anions) | (Cations) | ||||
any anion | + | alkali ions | = | soluble | sodium fluoride, NaF, is soluble |
(Li+,Na+,K+,Rb+,Cs+,Fr+) | |||||
any anion | + | hydrogen ion | = | soluble | sodium hydride, NaH, is soluble |
[H+(aq)] | |||||
any anion | + | amonium ion | = | soluble | ammonium chloride, NH4Cl, is soluble |
(NH4+) | |||||
nitrate | + | any cation | = | soluble | potassium nitrate, KNO3, is soluble |
NO3– | |||||
acetate | + | any cation | = | soluble | sodium acetate, CH3COONa, is soluble |
(CH3COO–) | |||||
Chloride (Cl–), Bromide (Br–), Iodide (I–) | + | silver (Ag+), lead (Pb2+), mercury (Hg2+), copper (Cu+), thallium (Tl+) | = | low solubility (insoluble) | silver chloride, AgCl, forms a white precipitate (a white solid) |
+ | any other cation | = | soluble | potassium bromide, KBr, is soluble | |
Suphate | + | calcium (Ca2+), strontium (Sr2+), barium (Ba2+), silver (Ag+), lead (Pb2+), radium (Ra2+) | = | low solubility (insoluble) | barium sulphate, BaSO4, forms a white precipitate (a white solid) |
(SO42-) | + | any other cation | = | soluble | copper sulphate, CuSO4, is soluble |
Sulfide | + | alkali ions (Li+,Na+,K+,Rb+,Cs+,Fr+), alkali earth metals (Be2+,Mg2+,Ca2+,Sr2+,Ba2+,Ra2+), | = | soluble | magnesium sulfide, MgS, is soluble |
S2- | and H+(aq), NH4+ | ||||
+ | any other cation | = | low solubility (insoluble) | zinc sulfide, ZnS, is insoluble | |
Hydroxide | + | alkali ions (Li+,Na+,K+,Rb+,Cs+,Fr+), H+(aq),NH4+,Sr2+,Ba2+,Ra2+,Tl+ | = | soluble | strontium hydroxide, |
OH– | Sr(OH)2, is soluble | ||||
+ | any other cation | = | low solubility (insoluble) | silver hydroxide, AgOH, is insoluble (forms a precipitate) | |
Phosphate, PO43-, Carbonate, CO32-, sulphite, SO32- | + | alkali ions (Li+,Na+,K+,Rb+,Cs+,Fr+), H+(aq),NH4+ | = | soluble | ammonium phosphate, |
(NH4)3PO4, is soluble | |||||
+ | any other cation | = | low solubility (insoluble) | magnesium carbonate, MgCO3, is insoluble |
- All compounds of the ammonium ion (NH4+), and of Alkali metal (Group IA) cations, are soluble.
- All nitrates and acetates (ethanoates) are soluble.
- All chlorides, bromides and iodides are soluble EXCEPT those of silver, lead and mercury(I).
- All sulphates are soluble EXCEPT those of silver, lead, mercury(I), barium, strontium and calcium.
- All carbonates, sulfites and phosphates are insoluble EXCEPT those of ammonium and Alkali metal (Group IA) cations.
- All hydroxides are insoluble EXCEPT those of ammonium, barium and alkali metal (Group I) cations.
- All sulfides are insoluble EXCEPT those of ammonium, Alkali metal (GroupI) cations and Alkali earth metal (Group II) cations.
- All oxides are insoluble EXCEPT those of calcium, barium and Alkali metal (Group I) cations; these soluble ones actually react with the water to form hydroxides (hydrolyse).