Chemistry: Strong Acids, Bases, Salts, and Solubility Rules

Strong acids

HCl, Hbr, HI, Hno3, h2so4,hclo4,hclo3

H₂SO₄

sulfuric acid

HClO₄

perchloric acid

HClO₃

chloric acid

Group 1 hydroxides

LiOH, NaOH, KOH, RbOH, CsOH

Group 2 hydroxides

Ca(OH)₂, Sr(OH)₂, Ba(OH)₂ (except Be)

Mg(OH)₂

borderline strong base

ionic compounds

Almost ALL salts are strong electrolytes

NaCl

Na⁺ + Cl⁻

K₂SO₄

2K⁺ + SO₄²⁻

CaCl₂

Ca²⁺ + 2Cl⁻

Al(NO₃)₃

Al³⁺ + 3NO₃⁻

Metal + nonmetal

ionic salt = strong electrolyte

Metal + polyatomic ion

ionic salt = strong electrolyte

NH₄⁺ + anything

ionic salt = strong electrolyte

Weak Electrolytes

Most other acids (like HC₂H₃O₂, HF, H₂CO₃), NH₃ (ammonia), H₂O (water - very weak!)

Non-electrolytes

Molecular compounds like glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆), Alcohols, most organic compounds

Group 1 (alkali metals)

Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺, Cs⁺ - ALL compounds containing these ions are soluble

Ammonium

ALL ammonium compounds are soluble

Nitrates

ALL nitrates are soluble

Acetates

ALL acetates are soluble

Chlorides, Bromides, Iodides

GENERALLY soluble EXCEPT: Ag⁺, Pb²⁺, Hg₂²⁺

Sulfates

GENERALLY soluble EXCEPT: Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺, Ba²⁺, Pb²⁺, Ag⁺, Hg₂²⁺

Carbonates

GENERALLY insoluble EXCEPT: Group 1 and NH₄⁺

Phosphates

GENERALLY insoluble EXCEPT: Group 1 and NH₄⁺

Hydroxides

GENERALLY insoluble EXCEPT: Group 1, NH₄⁺, Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺, Ba²⁺ (somewhat soluble)

Sulfides

GENERALLY insoluble EXCEPT: Group 1, Group 2, and NH₄⁺

Oxides

GENERALLY insoluble EXCEPT: Group 1 and Group 2 (form hydroxides)

HCl

Hydrochloric acid

hbr

hydrobromic acid

HI

hydroiodic acid

hno3

nitric acid

Strong bases

Group 1 hydroxides: LiOH, NaOH, KOH, RbOH, CsOH

• • Group 2 hydroxides (except Be): Ca(OH)₂, Sr(OH)₂, Ba(OH)₂

NO₃⁻

Nitrate

SO₄²⁻

Sulfate

PO₄³⁻

Phosphate

NH₄⁺

Ammonium

HCO₃⁻

Hydrogen carbonate (Bicarbonate)