Chlorides (CL-)

They are produced by the action of hydrogen chlorides on metals.

Mg_(s) + 2HCL_(aq)  →  MgCL₂ + H_2(g)

Action of acids on bases (neutralization)

NaOH_(aq) + HCL_(aq) →  NaCL_(aq) + H₂O_(L)

Test for Chlorides CL

With AgNO3 (i.e Silver trioxonitrate (v).

AgNO_3(aq) + NaCL_3(aq)  →  NaNO_3(aq)+ AgCL_(s)

A white precipitate of AgCL is formed which readily dissolves in acqueous ammonia.

PbNO_3(aq)+ NaCL_(aq) →   NaNO_3(aq)+ PbCL_2(s)

A white precipitate of PbCL 2 is forned.

NB: All chlorides are stable to heat (i.e cannot be decomposed by heating ) except NH₄CL which sublimes.

All chlorides are soluble except AgCL, pbCL₂ and HgCL.