Equimolar solution of the following were prepared in water separately. Which one of the solutions will record the highest `pH`?

Options

A. `SrCI_(2)`
B. `BaCI_(2)`
C. `MgCI_(2)`
D. `CaCI_(2)`

Answer

B

Explanation

Alkaline earth metal chlorides are salts of strong acid (HCI) and weak bases `[M(OH)_(2)]`. Thus, on hydrolysis, they basically yield acidic solution. As we go down the group, the basic character of hydroxides increases. This tends to reduce the acidic nature of solution, i.e., the pH of the resulting solution increases on moving down the group of alkaline earth metals. Thus, the solution of `BaCl_(2)` has the highest pH.