Solubility rules

• Will a precipitation reaction occur?
• How can a particular solid compound be created?
• Will a compound dissolve in water?

Generally soluble

• Compounds containing alkali metals or NH₄⁺
• Compounds containing NO₃^-
• Compounds containing CH₃COO^- (acetates)
• Chlorides, bromides, iodides (these ions combined with Pb²⁺, Ag⁺, Hg₂²⁺ form insoluble compounds)
• SO₄^2- (these ions combined with Pb²⁺, Ba²⁺, Sr²⁺, Hg₂²⁺ form insoluble compounds)

Generally insoluble

• Compounds containing OH^- or S^2- (these ions combined with alkali metals, Ba²⁺ or the ammonium ion are soluble)
• Compounds containing CO₃^2- or PO₄^3- (these ions combined with alkali metals are soluble)

Return to Chem 101 home page