Question

Do you expect different products in solution when aluminium (III) chloride and potassium chloride treated separately with (i) normal water (ii) acidified water, and (iii) alkaline water? Write equations wherever necessary.

Answer 1

Potassium chloride (KCl) is the salt of a strong acid (HCl) and strong base (KOH). Hence, it is neutral in nature and does not undergo hydrolysis in normal water. It dissociates into ions as follows:

\[\ce{KCl_{(s)} ->[water] K+_{(aq)} + Cl-_{(aq)}}\]

In acidified and alkaline water, the ions do not react and remain as such.

Aluminium (III) chloride is the salt of a strong acid (HCl) and weak base [Al(OH)₃]. Hence, it undergoes hydrolysis in normal water

\[\ce{AlCl_{3(s)} + 3 H2O_{(l)} ->[Normal][Water] Al(OH)_{3(s)} + 3H+_{(aq)} + 3Cl-_{(aq)}}\]

In acidified water, H⁺ ions react with Al(OH)₃ forming water and giving Al³⁺ ions. Hence, in acidified water, AlCl₃ will exist as \[\ce{Al^{3+}_{(aq)}}\] and \[\ce{Cl^-_{(aq)}}\] ions.

\[\ce{AlCl_{3(s)} ->[Acidified][Water] Al^{3+}_{(aq)} + 3Cl-_{(aq)}}\]

In alkaline water, the following reaction takes place:

\[\ce{Al(OH)_{3(s)} + \underset{fro alkaline water}{OH^-_{(aq)}} -> [Al(OH)4]^-_{ (aq)} + 2H2O_{(l)}}\]