Types of Salts & Hydrolysis

What Are Salts?

Salts are compounds formed when acids react with bases. They consist of positive ions (cations) from a base and negative ions (anions) from an acid.

Types of Salts

• Normal Salts: Formed when all the hydrogen ions in an acid are replaced by metal ions or ammonium ions. Example: Sodium chloride (NaCl).
• Acidic Salts: Formed when not all hydrogen ions in an acid are replaced. They can release hydrogen ions in solution. Example: Sodium bisulfate (NaHSO₄).
• Basic Salts: Formed when a base is not fully neutralized by an acid, leaving hydroxide ions in the salt. Example: Basic lead carbonate (Pb(OH)CO₃).
• Double Salts: Contain more than one type of cation or anion. They dissociate into their constituent ions in solution. Example: Potash alum (KAl(SO₄)₂·12H₂O).
• Complex Salts: Contain complex ions, which are groups of atoms that behave as a single ion. Example: Potassium hexacyanoferrate(III) (K₃[Fe(CN)₆]).

Hydrolysis of Salts

Hydrolysis is the reaction of a salt with water to form an acidic or basic solution.

• Acidic Solution: Formed when a salt from a strong acid and a weak base dissolves in water. Example: Ammonium chloride (NH₄Cl).
• Basic Solution: Formed when a salt from a weak acid and a strong base dissolves in water. Example: Sodium acetate (CH₃COONa).
• Neutral Solution: Formed when a salt from a strong acid and a strong base dissolves in water. Example: Sodium chloride (NaCl).