What kind of ions co-precipitate with chloride?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the types of ions that may co-precipitate with chloride ions in the context of a gravimetric analysis lab. Participants explore theoretical aspects related to the formation of precipitates when chloride is mixed with silver nitrate and the implications of other ions present in the solution.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about ions that may co-precipitate with chloride ions, specifically seeking two examples beyond silver ions.
  • Another participant asserts that ammonium chloride is soluble and therefore will not precipitate, questioning the relevance of the analysis provided.
  • A participant notes that not all chloride ions are converted to silver chloride due to interactions with other ions in the solution, leading to potential errors in the analysis.
  • One participant suggests that ions similar to chloride, such as halides and pseudohalides, are likely candidates for co-precipitation, along with any ions that form low solubility silver salts.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the types of ions that can co-precipitate with chloride. There is no consensus on specific examples, and the discussion remains unresolved regarding the identification of additional co-precipitating ions.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention the presence of H+, Ag+, Cl-, and NO3- ions in the solution, but the implications of these ions on co-precipitation are not fully explored. The discussion also highlights the potential for carbonate ions to interfere with the analysis, but the reasons for their presence remain unclear.

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Homework Statement



Question: What kinds of ions may co-precipitate with a chloride ion? (List at least two).

This is a question for the theory section of my gravimetric analysis lab.
An unknown chloride salt is mixed into a solution. This solution is to be mixed with a certain quantity of silver nitrate to precipitate out silver chloride, but first the solution is mixed with nitric acid to ensure that no unwanted co-precipitates form. Specifically, the nitric acid is mixed into ensure that any carbonate ions that may be present within the solution are converted to carbon dioxide gas and water (if somebody could tell me why carbonate ions would even be in this solution in the first place, that'd be awesome too). Otherwise, carbonate ions may precipitate to form silver carbonate and the analysis will be ruined.

Homework Equations



I know that in this solution, there are H+ ions, Ag+ ions, Cl- ions and NO3-- ions.
What I'm trying to find are two ions that may form a precipitate with Cl-.

The Attempt at a Solution



I've only been able to find 1 possibility so far, being the formation of NH4Cl.
NH4+ + Cl- --> NH4Cl
Thanks ahead of time for any/all help given.
 
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I assume the silver precipitates out along with the chloride ion, since the salt is insoluble and that is the precipitate you are trying to make in this case. Ammonium chloride is soluable in water, so it will not form a precipitate.

Is the analysis below the question different from the question? Many ions co-precipitate with chloride, but the only one I see in the expanded question/analysis is silver.
 
Yeah, the goal is to use ALL of the chloride ions from the unknown salt to form silver chloride. However, when the chloride ions are dissociated, they also supposedly interact with other ions in the solution, so not all of them are used in creating the silver chloride precipitate, which results in a certain degree of error.

Sorry if the question's confusing. What I'm asking is: in a solution that contains ONLY the previously mentioned ions (H+ ions, Ag+ ions, Cl- ions and NO3-- ions), what ions exist or can be formed (other than silver ions) that can react with the chloride ions? I'm supposed to provide two examples where chloride ions can be used up in reactions with ions other than silver.
 
The more similar the ion, the higher the chance it will coprecipitate. First suspects are halides and pseudohalides. Then every ion that creates low solubility silver salts (that means almost everything).
 

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