IDENTIFYING METAL HALIDES

• HOW CAN THE METAL HALIDES BE IDENTIFIED?

  using silver ions
• WHY CAN METAL HALIDES BE IDENTIFIED WITH SILVER IONS?

  all (except fluorides) react with Ag+ in aqueous solution to form insoluble silver halide precipitate

  -> AgF soluble in water meaning no precipitate is produced
• HOW TO TEST FOR METAL HALIDES?

  1. Dilute HNO3 added to remove CO3 (2-) or OH- impurities
  2. Add few drops of AgNO3
  3. Halide precipitate forms
  4. Further tested with ammonia
• TEST FOR HALIDES USING AgNO3?

  AgF: no precipitate

  AgCl: white precipitate

  AgBr: cream precipitate

  AgI: pale yellow precipitate
• FURTHR TEST FOR HALIDE IONS USING AMMONIA?

  AgCl: dissolves in dilute ammonia

  AgBr: dissolves in concentrated ammonia

  AgI: insoluble in concentrated ammonia