Three test-tubes A,B,C contain Pb2+,Hg2+2 and Ag+ (but unknown). To each aqueous solution NaOH is added in excess. Following changes occur in following tes-tubes :
A : black precipitate
B : brown precipitate
C : white ppt. but dissolves in excess of NaOH.
Black finely divided mercury metal and yellow mercury(II) oxide (HgO) are precipitated by NaOH:
Hg2+2(aq)+2OH−(aq)→Hg(l) (black) +HgO (yellow) +H2O(l)
Ag++NaOH→AgOH+Na+
2AgOH→Ag2O (Brown ppt) +H2O
Pb2++NaOH→Pb(OH)2
Pb(OH)2→PbO (white ppt) +H2O
PbO+ excess NaOH→ does not dissolve.