No, PbI2 (lead(II) iodide) is not soluble in water. 1 PbI2 is an insoluble salt that forms a yellow precipitate when it is added to water. 2 The solubility of PbI2 in water is very low, with only a small amount dissolving to form a saturated solution.
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Why is PbI2 insoluble in water?
PbI2 is insoluble in water due to its ionic nature and the strong forces of attraction between its constituent ions. When PbI2 is placed in water, the water molecules form a network of hydrogen bonds with each other, which makes it difficult for the Pb2+ and I- ions from PbI2 to separate and dissolve. As a result, PbI2 remains undissolved in water.
In more detail, PbI2 is a compound composed of lead (Pb) cations and iodide (I-) anions. 3 When it comes into contact with water, the polar water molecules interact with each other through hydrogen bonding, creating a network of water molecules. These hydrogen bonds are relatively strong and require a significant amount of energy to break.
The Pb2+ and I- ions in PbI2 are also attracted to each other by ionic bonding, which is a strong electrostatic force of attraction between oppositely charged ions. The forces holding the ions together in PbI2 are stronger than the forces between the ions and water molecules.
Therefore, the water molecules are not able to overcome the attractive forces between the Pb2+ and I- ions, resulting in the insolubility of PbI2 in water.
Overall, the insolubility of PbI2 in water is a result of the combination of strong ionic bonds within the compound and the network of hydrogen bonds formed by water molecules, which prevent the dissolution of the PbI2 crystal lattice.
Further reading
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Why is MgSO4 Soluble in Water?
Why is KCl (Potassium Chloride) Soluble in Water?
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Why is CuSO4 (Copper Sulfate) Soluble in Water?
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References
- P. (n.d.). Lead(II) iodide. Lead(II) Iodide | PbI2 | CID 24931 – PubChem. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/24931
- Precipitation of Lead(II) Iodide | Chemdemos. (n.d.). Precipitation of Lead(II) Iodide | Chemdemos. https://chemdemos.uoregon.edu/demos/Precipitation-of-LeadII-Iodide
- Study.com https://homework.study.com/explanation/what-is-the-name-of-the-ionic-compound-pbi2.html