Aqueous Solutions & PrecipitatesSeparating Metal Ions / Flow Charts

Dr. Ron Rusay

Three solutions, NaCl(aq), Na2SO4(aq), and NaOH(aq), are available to selectively precipitate certain metal ions in a mixture. Use them in an order that will precipitate a solution of Ag+, Ba2+, and Fe3+ one at a time, allowing separation and isolation of each of the ions from the mixture. Make a flow chart to illustrate the general procedure.

Use the following solubility information to plan the flow chart for the separation scheme of the solution of Ag+, Ba2+,

and Fe3+

Reagents: , NaCl(aq), Na2SO4(aq), and NaOH(aq)Consider double displacement reactions and the solubility of the products. An

example of a possible first step is given on the next slide.

solubleAg+, Ba2+, and Fe3+

insolubleAgCl (s)

solubleBa2+, and Fe3+

NaCl(aq)