Metal Compounds - An Introduction to Inorganic Chemistry.

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Topic 1:  Metal Compounds — An Introduction to Inorganic Chemistry

Section 1.1        Types of Inorganic Reaction

Thermal Decomposition Reactions

  • What sort of compounds decompose?
  1. any Hydrated compound — gives off water easily
  2. Metal carbonates — decompose variably easily giving CO2 + MO
  3. Metal sulphates — decompose variably into MO + SOx
  4. Metal nitrates — most give MO, NO2 + O2  reactive metal nitrates give MNO2 + O2

  • How do we test for the gases liberated?
  1. H2O vapour — condenses into water droplets.
  2. CO2 — bubble through limewater; turns cloudy.
  3. O2 — glowing splint relights.
  4. SOx — colourless, strongly acidic (UI/litmus).
  5. NO2 — brown acidic gas.

Experiment 1.1a

Heat small amounts of the following chemicals.  Test for the gases you expect to be liberated:

  • CoCl2 hydrated
  • Cu(NO3)2 hydrated
  • FeSO4 hydrated
  • ZnCO3
  • NaNO3

Note the safety notes on page 3.  Put results into appropriate table, and answer questions on page 3.  Write an equation for each reaction.

  • (NH4)2Cr2O7 is demonstrated (heat copper rod and plunged into pile of compound).  Note safety note.

Equations:

        CoCl2.2H2O                →                CoCl2                  +        2H2O

        2Cu(NO3)2                →                     2CuO                  +        4NO2              +          O2

        2FeSO4                →                      Fe2O3                  +        SO2              +               SO3

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        ZnCO3                        →                       ZnO                  +        CO2

        2NaNO3                →                       2NaNO2        +                     O2

        (NH4)2Cr2O7                →                     N2            +                Cr2O3              +           4H2O

Precipitation Reactions

  • Solubility Rules (in water)
  1. Na, K and NH4 compounds are all soluble.
  2. All nitrates are soluble.
  3. Most chlorides are soluble.  Exceptions include Pb and Ag.
  4. Most sulphates are soluble.  Exceptions include Pb and Ba.
  5. Most oxides, hydroxides and carbonates are insoluble in water.

Experiment 1.1b

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