Preparation of Salts ‘Flowchart’

Is the compound soluble?

If No: If Yes:
Precipitation Can you find an insoluble base of the compound (a
carbonate, oxide, the metal itself...)?

Select a soluble
ionic compound
for each of the
ions forming the
original If Yes: If No:
compound (e.g. Is the ionic compound simple?
sodium salts and Acid + XS
nitrates). Mix Insoluble Base
them and collect
your compound Add an acid
by filtration. containing the
anion needed in
the compound If Yes:
to be prepared
to an excess of Synthesis
the insoluble
base containing React the If No:
the cation elements
needed in the directly together. Titration
final compound. Usually this Method
Remove the requires some
excess base by heating and see notes
filtration and safety
collect your precautions.
compound by Most commonly
evaporating the used for NaCl.
filtrate.