Answer to Question #216304 in General Chemistry for Csmith

Question

You are given an aqueous solution containing similar concentrations of both calcium ions (Ca2+) and lead(II) ions (Pb2+), and you wish to selectively precipitate out the lead(II) ions only. Which of the following sodium salts would you choose in order to accomplish this selective precipitation?

Answer 1

We would use Sodium Chloride (NaCl) to selectively precipitate out Pb²⁺ ions because Lead Chloride (PbCl₂) is insoluble in water and hence would precipitate.