Solubility Rules

If a base or a salt (ionic compound) is soluble based on the solubility rules below, it will
dissociate and break into ions in water

Solubility Rules (Salts and Bases)

Soluble Ionic Compounds Important Exceptions

All 1A and ammonium None

Nitrates, nitrites, acetates, ClOx-, IO3- None
Chlorides, bromides, iodides Cu+, Ag+, Au+, [Hg2]+2, Pb+2
Sulfates Cu+, Ag+, Au+, [Hg2]+2,Pb+2, Ba+2, Sr+2, Ra+2

Insoluble Ionic Compounds Important Exceptions

Sulfides IA, IIA, NH4+

Carbonates, phosphates, silicates,
Sulfites, chromates IA, NH4+

Hydroxides 1A, Ba+2, Sr+2, Ra+2

(NH4OH is soluble but does NOT dissociate)

The solubility Rule does not apply to acids. All acids are soluble, but only strong acids
would dissociate and break into ions in water. The acids listed below are considered strong
acids while all others are considered weak.

Strong acids: HCl, HBr, HI, H2SO4, HNO3, HClO4