Home > Organic Chemistry > Quick Introduction of Structures

Why are chlorides soluble in water?

Answer 1

Because water is a polar solvent, capable of stabilizing most chloride salts.

The chloride ion can be effectively solvated in most instances. Of course there are exceptions to this rule. Silver chloride, lead chloride, and mercurous chloride, #Hg_2Cl_2# are reasonably insoluble in water.

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Answer 2

Zoe Alexander

Chlorides are soluble in water because they are ionic compounds composed of positively charged metal ions (cations) and negatively charged chloride ions (anions). When chlorides are dissolved in water, the polar water molecules surround and separate the ions, allowing them to dissociate and become surrounded by water molecules, which stabilizes the ions in solution. This process, known as hydration, overcomes the ionic attraction between the ions in the solid state, resulting in the dissolution of chlorides in water.

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Answer from HIX Tutor

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.