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Chapter 16 Precipitation Equilibria. Outline. 1. Precipitate formation: the solubility product constant (K sp ) 2. Dissolving precipitates. Revisiting Precipitation. In Chapter 4 we learned that there are compounds that do not dissolve in water These were called insoluble
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Outline 1. Precipitate formation: the solubility product constant (Ksp) 2. Dissolving precipitates
Revisiting Precipitation • In Chapter 4 we learned that there are compounds that do not dissolve in water • These were called insoluble • A reaction that produces an insoluble precipitate was assumed to go to completion • In reality, even insoluble compounds dissolve to some extent, usually small • An equilibrium is set up between the precipitate and its ions • Precipitates can be dissolved by forming complex ions
Two Types of Equilibria • AgCl (s) ⇌ Ag+ (aq) + Cl- (aq) • Solid exists in equilibrium with the ions formed when a small amount of solid dissolves • AgCl (s) + 2NH3 (aq) ⇌ Ag(NH3)2+ (aq) + Cl- (aq) • Formation of a stable complex ion can cause an otherwise insoluble compound to dissolve • There are multiple equilibria at work in this example, in similar fashion to the equilibria underlying the function of a buffer (Chapter 14)
Precipitate Formation: Solubility Product Constant, Ksp • Consider mixing two solutions: • Sr(NO3)2 (aq) • K2CrO4 (aq) • The following net ionic equation describes the reaction: • Sr2+ (aq) + CrO42- (aq) SrCrO4 (s)
Ksp Expression • SrCrO4 (s) ⇌Sr2+ (aq) + CrO42- (aq) • The solid establishes an equilibrium with its ions once it forms • We can write an equilibrium expression, leaving out the term for the solid (recall that its concentration does not change as long as some is present) • Ksp is called the solubility product constant
Interpreting the Solubility Expression and Ksp • Ksp has a fixed value at a given temperature • For strontium chromate, Ksp = 3.6 X 10-5 at 25 °C • The product of the two concentrations at equilibrium must have this value regardless of the direction from which equilibrium is approached
Ksp and the Equilibrium Concentration of Ions • Ksp SrCrO4 = [Sr2+][CrO42-] = 3.6 X 10-5 • This means that if we know one ion concentration, the other one can easily be calculated • If [Sr2+] = 1.0 X 10-4 M, then • If [CrO42-] = 2.0 X 10-3, then
Ksp and Precipitate Formation • Ksp values can be used to predict whether a precipitate will form when two solutions are mixed • Recall the use of Q, the reaction quotient, from Chapter 12 • We can calculate Q at any time and compare it to Ksp • The relative magnitude of Q vs. Ksp will indicate whether or not a precipitate will form
Q and Ksp • If Q > Ksp, a precipitate will form, decreasing the ion concentrations until equilibrium is established • If Q < Ksp, the solution is unsaturated; no precipitate will form • If Q = Ksp, the solution is saturated just to the point of precipitation
Ksp and Water Solubility • One way to establish a solubility equilibrium • Stir a slightly soluble solid with water • An equilibrium is established between the solid and its ions • BaSO4 (s) ⇌ Ba2+ (aq) + SO42- (aq) • If we set the concentration of the ions equal to a variable, s:
Calculating Ksp Given Solubility • Instead of calculating solubility from Ksp, it is possible to calculate Ksp from the solubility • Recall that solubility may be given in many different sets of units • Convert the solubility to moles per liter for use in the Ksp expression
Ksp and the Common Ion Effect • BaSO4 (s) ⇌ Ba2+ (aq) + SO42- (aq) • How would you expect the solubility of barium sulfate in water to compare to its solubility in 0.10 M Na2SO4? • Solubility must be less than it is in pure water • Recall LeChâtelier’s Principle • The presence of the common ion, SO42-, will drive the equilibrium to the left • Common ions reduce solubility
Selective Precipitation • Consider a solution of two cations • One way to separate the cations is to add an anion that precipitates only one of them • This approach is called selective precipitation • Related approach • Consider a solution of magnesium and barium ions
Selective Precipitation, (Cont'd) • Ksp BaCO3 = 2.6 X 10-9 • Ksp MgCO3 = 6.8 X 10-6 • Carbonate ion is added • Since BaCO3 is less soluble than MgCO3, BaCO3 precipitates first, leaving magnesium ion in solution • Differences in solubility can be used to separate cations
Dissolving Precipitates • Bringing water-insoluble compounds into solution • Adding a strong acid to react with basic anions • Adding an agent that forms a complex ion to react with a metal cation
Strong Acid • Zn(OH)2 (s) + 2H+ (aq) Zn2+ (aq) + 2H2O • This reaction takes place as two equilibria: • Zn(OH)2 (s) ⇌ Zn2+ (aq) + 2OH- (aq) • 2H+ (aq) + 2OH- (aq) ⇌ 2H2O • Zn(OH)2 (s) + 2H+ (aq) ⇌ Zn2+ (aq) + 2H2O • Because the equilibrium constant for the neutralization is so large, the reaction goes essentially to completion • Note that for the second equilibrium, K = (1/Kw)2 = 1 X 1028
Insoluble Compounds that Dissolve in Strong Acid • Virtually all carbonates • The product if the reaction is H2CO3, a weak acid that decomposes to carbon dioxide • H2CO3 (aq) H2O + CO2 (g) • Many sulfides • The product of the reaction is H2S, a gas that is also a weak acid • H2S (aq) ⇌ H+ (aq) + HS- (aq)
Complex Formation • Ammonia and NaOH can dissolve compounds whose metal cations form complexes with NH3 and OH- • As with the addition of a strong acid, multiple equilibria are at work: • Zn(OH)2 (s) ⇌ Zn2+ (aq) + 2OH- (aq) Ksp • Zn2+ (aq) + 4NH3 (aq) ⇌ Zn(NH3)42+ (aq) Kf • Net: Zn(OH)2 (s) + 4NH3 (aq) Zn(NH3)42+ (aq) + 2OH- (aq) • Knet = KspKf = 4 X 10-17 X 3.6 X 108 = 1 X 10-8