What do you observe when caustic soda solution is added to the following solution: first a little and then in excess.
(a) FeCl_3 , (b) ZnSO_4 Write balanced equations for these reactions.
What do you observe when caustic soda solution is added to the following solution: first a little and then in excess.
(a) FeCl_3 , (b) ZnSO_4 Write balanced equations for these reactions.

Solution:

Caustic soda is Sodium hydroxide (NaOH)

(a)

FeCl+ 3NaOH → Fe(OH)3 ↓ {Reddish-brown ppt.}+ 3NaCl

In excess of alkali, the reddish-brown ppt. of Fe(OH)3 remains insoluble.

(b)

ZnSO4 + 2NaOH → Zn(OH)2 ↓ + Na2SO4 {Colourless white, gelatinous ppt Colourless}

With an excess of alkali, ppt. dissolves

Zn(OH)2 + 2NaOH → Na2ZnO2 {(excess) Sodium Zincate colorless} + 2H2O