Why is Bismuth Subchloride Soluble in Acid?

Damon Diemente
Trinity School, 101 West 91st Street, New York, NY 10024
J. Chem. Educ., 1997, 74 (4), p 398
DOI: 10.1021/ed074p398
Publication Date (Web): April 1, 1997
History, Education, and Documentation

Abstract

Bismuth subchloride, BiOCl, is a white solid, quite insoluble in neutral water but readily soluble in acid. It is easy to propose a simple, direct neuralization reaction to explain the solubility, for example:

BiOCl + 2H+ --> Bi3+ + Cl- + H2O

However, this article suggests that the dissolving of BiOCl in acid does not depend upon a direct reaction between solid BiOCl and aqueous hydrogen ion. A series of hydrolysis reactions are considered, and it is shown that the solubility of BiOCl can be explained as a consequence of the shifting of hydrolysis equilibriums upon the addition of acid. Two demonstrations suitable for classroom use are presented, with detailed discussion of each. Statements on safety and waste disposal are included.

Keywords (Audience):

Second-Year Undergraduate

Keywords (Domain):

Demonstrations

Keywords (Feature):

Applications and Analogies

Keywords (Subject):

Bismuth
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  • Received: August 03, 2009

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