Q47 / 150 · MHT CET 2024 (11 May Shift 1) · Chemistry

Which among the following salts turns red litmus blue in its aqueous solution?

  • A
    $\mathrm{Na}_2 \mathrm{SO}_4$
  • Correct answer
    B
    $\mathrm{CH}_3 \mathrm{COONa}$
  • C
    $\mathrm{NH}_4 \mathrm{NO}_3$
  • D
    $\mathrm{CuCl}_2$

Solution

The salt that turns red litmus blue must produce a basic aqueous solution, which occurs when hydrolysis yields hydroxide ions. This requires a salt derived from a strong base and a weak acid.

For potassium cyanide (KCN), formed from strong base KOH and weak acid HCN, the cyanide ion hydrolyzes: $\text{CN}^- + \text{H}_2\text{O} \rightleftharpoons \text{HCN} + \text{OH}^-$, producing basic solution.

In contrast, NaNO$_3$, NaCl, and KCl derive from strong acids and strong bases, undergo no significant hydrolysis, and yield neutral solutions.

Thus, only KCN turns red litmus blue.

Hence, the correct answer is option: 'B'.

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