Looking at an ion, how can you tell whether hydrolysis will occur or not?

1 Answer
P dilip_k
Oct 10, 2016

Cations of weak bases and Anions of weak acids are hydrolysed

Explanation:

If the ion is a cation that forms an weak base combining with required number of #OH^-#ion/s in water then the its solution becomes acidic one due to hydrolysis. For example #Fe^(3+)# ion

#Fe^(3+)+3H_2O->Fe(OH)_3+3H^+#

Again when an anion of a salt of weak acid interacts with water it combines with the #H^+#ions of water thereby enhancing the number of #OH^-# ions in water and thus it makes the solution basic in nature.
For example Acetate ion #CH_3COO^(-)#

#CH_3COO^(-)+H_2O->CH_3COOH+OH^-#

Inference

Cations of weak bases and Anions of weak acids are hydrolysed

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