Translated from Spanish to English - www.onlinedoctranslator.

com

Practice Quiz 4 Acidity of metal cations

Inorganic Chemistry I (National Autonomous University of Mexico)

Studocu is not sponsored or endorsed by any college or university.

Downloaded by Víctor Daniel Mercado Velasco ( vic2323xz@gmail.com )
Practice 4. Acidity of metal cations

Step 1.- To each tube with water and indicator, add 2 mL of solution of one of the
following cations: Li+, Mg2+, La3+, Zr4+ (the anions are chlorides or nitrates, which do
not have detectable acid-base properties).

a) Compare the color of each solution with the visual standard provided by your teacher
and write down the corresponding pH:

Cation pH of your solution

Li+ 6

Mg2+ 7

La3+ 5

Zr4+ 4

Repeat the previous experiment now using the following cations: K+, Zn2+, Al3+ and
Sn4+. Write down your results.

Cation pH of your solution

K+ 7

Zn2+ 6

Al3+ 4

Sn4+ 3

b) Develop a hypothesis about what you think is the factor responsible for the
observed variations in acidity:

R=The factor responsible for the variation is the size of the cation charge, in turn
said charge will represent the lost electrons, that is, there is a greater number of
protons than electrons, so the greater the cation charge, the greater the acidity. .

c) Considering that a metal ion (M) in aqueous solution is in the form [M(H2O)6]n+,
write the products of the hydrolysis reaction (which is what gives rise to the acidity
of the cation):

R=[ ( ) ] ++ → [ ( ) ( )] −1++ +
2 6 2 2 5 3

Downloaded by Víctor Daniel Mercado Velasco ( vic2323xz@gmail.com )

Practice 4. Acidity of metal cations

Step 2.- Now you will determine the pH of precipitation of the hydroxides of these
cations.

Cation Precipitation pH

Li+ 10

K+ 10

Mg2+ 8

La3+ 7

Zn2+ 6

Al3+ 5

Zr4+ 4

Sn4+ 3

a) Complete the following statement: The cations ofminor (higher or lower) acid
strength, precipitate at higher pH valuestall (high or low).

Step 3.- To each tube add 2 mL of solution of one of the following cations:Li+,Na+,
K+, Ag+. Subsequently add, drop by drop, 1M NaOH, up to 1 mL.

a) Mention which of these ions precipitated:

R=I precipitate the Ag+ cation

b) Consult the periodic table and make a hypothesis about what you think is the
property that makes it so different:

R=Apparently the Ag+ cation precipitated, however the Li+, Na+ and K+ cations
belonging to group 1 which is characterized by its low electronegativity did not
precipitate, so it can be said that the more electronegative the atoms of the cations
are, the more acids will be because the Ag+ cation belongs to a much more
electronegative group.

c)How is the acidity of this ion compared to the other monovalent cations?

R= It is high compared to monovalents

Step 4.- Wash and rinse four test tubes with distilled water. Place 2 mL of Mg2+,
Zn2+, Pb2+, Hg2+ solution in each one. Determine the precipitation pH of these
cations following the steps in point 2 (use 1M NaOH).

Downloaded by Víctor Daniel Mercado Velasco ( vic2323xz@gmail.com )

Practice 4. Acidity of metal cations

Cation Precipitation pH

Mg2+ 9

Zn2+ 6

Pb2+ 6

Hg2+ 7

a) Review the periodic table and relate the property proposed in part 3b with the pH of
precipitation and, consequently, with the acid strength of these cations:

R=The more electronegative the atoms of the cations are, the more acidic they will
be.

b) Therefore, in what order will the Fe³ ions precipitate⁺,Al³⁺,Bi³⁺and La³⁺depending on

pH?:

R=Bi³⁺>Faith³⁺>Al³⁺>The³⁺

Confirm your prediction by repeating the procedure in part 2 with these trivalent
cations.

Cation Precipitation pH

The³⁺ 7

Al³⁺ 5

Faith³⁺ 4

Bi³⁺ 3

What are the properties of a metal ion that influence its acidic strength and how
does this vary depending on these properties?

R=The properties that influence the acidic strength of a cation are the cation charge
and the size of the cation. The greater the charge on the cation, the greater its acidity.

Exercises to solve at the end of the session

1.- Divide all cations into five categories according to their acidic character, using the
precipitation pH as a criterion; then place them in each category according to their charge
and position on the periodic table.

Downloaded by Víctor Daniel Mercado Velasco ( vic2323xz@gmail.com )

 Practice 4. Acidity of metal cations

Category (pH of Observed examples Type of cations (charge and

precipitation) during practice block of the periodic table)

Non-acidic cations (pH>14)

Cations very weakly LiCl, MgCl2, ZnCl2, KCl K+, Li+, Mg2+, Zn2+
acids (12<pH<14)

Weakly acidic cations AlCl3, La(NO3)3 Al3+, La3+

(8<pH<12)

Moderately cations ZrCl4 Zr4+

acids (3<pH<8)

Very acidic cations (pH<3) SnCl4 Sn4+

2.- Using charge as the first criterion and electronegativity as the second, arrange
the following cations in order of increasing acid strength: Cr3+, Al3+, Li+, Tl+, Ce4+,
Ti4+,Mn2+, K+, Ca2+, Y3+ and Fe2+.

R=Ti4+, Ce4+,Cr3+,Al3+,Y3+,Fe2+,Mn2+,Ca2+,Tl+,Li+,K+

Downloaded by Víctor Daniel Mercado Velasco ( vic2323xz@gmail.com )