Electrolyte and its Classification in Chemistry

Electrolytes Definition and Types

Electrolytes are compounds that dissociate into ions in their aqueous solutions. A list of Strong and weak electrolytes and their classification are given below:

·        According to strength

·        According to the nature of the bond

·        According to the valence of ions

1.     Classification of electrolytes according to strength

According to strength electrolytes can be classified as

·        Strong electrolytes

·        Weak electrolytes

Strong electrolytes:

These electrolytes are completely dissociated in solution e.g. strong acids (HCl, HNO₃ ) strong bases (KOH, NaOH), and soluble salts (NaCl, KCl).

Weak electrolytes:

These electrolytes are not completely dissociated in aqueous solution e.g. Weak acids (acetic acid, phosphoric acid, and boric acids), weak bases (NH₄OH), and sparingly soluble salts (AgCl).

2. Classification of electrolytes according to the nature of bonds

According to the nature of the bond, electrolytes can be classified as

a) Ionophores

b) Ionogens

Ionophores

These electrolytes are ionic compounds e.g. Salts (NaCl, NaNO₃, Na₂SO₄), bases (NaOH, KOH)

Ionogens

These electrolytes are covalent compounds but dissociated into ions in solution e.g. Acids like HCl, HNO_3, and  H₂SO₄.

3. Classification of electrolytes according to Valence of ions

According to the valence of ions, electrolytes can be classified as

a) 1:1 electrolyte/univalent electrolyte/AB-type electrolyte

b) 1:2 electrolyte/uni-bivalent electrolyte/A₂B-type electrolyte

c) 2:1 electrolyte/ bi-univalent electrolyte/ AB₂-type electrolyte

d) 2:2 electrolyte/bivalent electrolyte/ A₂B₂-type electrolyte

e) 3:2 electrolyte/tri-bivalent electrolyte/ A₂B₃-type electrolyte

f) 2:3 electrolyte/ bi-trivalent electrolyte/ A₃ B₂-type electrolyte

g) 3:1 electrolyte/tri-univalent electrolyte/ AB₃-type electrolyte

h) 1:3 electrolyte/ uni-trivalent electrolyte/ A₃B-type electrolyte

i) 3:3 electrolyte/trivalent electrolyte/ A₃B₃-type electrolyte

(a) 1:1 electrolytes/univalent electrolytes/AB-type electrolytes

These electrolytes consist of monovalent (univalent) cations and monovalent (univalent) anions.

e.g. NaCl, KOH, KCl, HCl, NaHCO₃, KHCO₃

(b) 1:2 electrolytes/uni-bivalent electrolytes/ A₂B-type electrolytes

In these electrolytes, the cation is monovalent and the anion is bivalent (divalent).

Examples: Na₂CO₃, K₂SO₄, Li₂C₂O₄ (Lithium oxalate)

(c) 2:1 electrolyte/ bi-univalent electrolytes/ AB₂-type electrolytes

In these electrolytes, cations are bivalent and anions are monovalent.

Examples: CaCl₂, MgBr₂, BaCl₂, BeF₂, SrI₂

(d)2:2 electrolyte/bivalent electrolytes/ A₂B₂-type electrolytes

These electrolytes consist of bivalent (divalent) cations and bivalent anions.

e.g. CaSO₄, MgCO₃, MgC₂O₄ (Magnesium oxalate)

(e) 3:2 electrolytes/tri-bivalent electrolytes/A₂B₃-type electrolytes

In these electrolytes, cations are trivalent and anions are bivalent.

Examples: Al₂(SO₄)₃, Ga₂(CO₃)₃

(f) 2:3 electrolyte/ bi-trivalent electrolytes/ A₃B₂-type electrolytes

In these electrolytes, the cations are bivalent and the anions are trivalent.

Examples: Ca₃(PO₄)₂, Mg₃P₂ (Magnesium phosphide), Sr₃N₂ (Strontium nitride)

(g) 3:1 electrolyte/tri-univalent electrolytes/AB₃-type electrolytes

In these electrolytes cation is trivalent and anion is univalent (monovalent).

Examples: AlCl₃, GaBr₃

(h) 1:3 electrolytes/ uni-trivalent electrolytes/ A₃B-type electrolytes

In these electrolytes cation is univalent and anion is trivalent.

Examples: Na₃PO₄, K₃P (Potassium phosphide), Na₃P (Sodium phosphide), K₃N (Potassium nitride),

 (i) 3:3 electrolytes/trivalent electrolytes/ A₃B₃-type electrolytes

These electrolytes consist of trivalent cations and trivalent anions.

e.g. AlPO₄, AlP (Aluminium phosphide), AlN (Aluminium nitride).