Question

Equimolar solution of the following were prepared in water separately. Which one of the solutions will record the highest P^H (?)

(a)  SrCl₂ 

(b)  BaCl₂ 

(c)  MgCl₂

(d)  CaCl₂ 

Answer 1

Correct option  (b) BaCl₂

Explanation:

All alkaline earth metal chlorides (MCl₂) on hydrolysis will produce acidic solution

MCl₂ + H₂O ⇋ M(OH)₂ + 2HCl

because M(OH)₂ is a weak base and HCl is a strong acid. but as we go down the group, basic character of hydroxides increses. Hence acidic character decreses. So BaCl₂ will have the highest P^H.