10 EXAMPLES OF BINARY SALTS - CHEMISTRY - 2025

A binary salt is a chemical compound originated from the mixture of a metal and a nonmetal. In binary salts, the non-metallic element always uses its lowest valence.

Binary salts are also known as neutral salts. They are derived from hydracids, that is, from combinations of hydrogen atoms (H) with amphigenic atoms (sulfur, selenium, tellurium and polonium) or halogens (fluorine, bromine, chlorine, iodine, tenese and astate).

Crystal structure of sodium chloride, a binary salt

In these types of materials, hydrogen is replaced by a metal. Then, the compound is generated with a contribution of halogens or amphigens, and its metallic counterpart.

Consequently, binary salts can be of various types: iodides, astatides, sulfides, tellurides, selenides, fluoride, chloride, bromide, among others.

Characteristics of binary salts

Binary salts come from the combination of a metallic element with a non-metallic element. This reaction is given by the following formula:

M

Where:

M: chemical nomenclature of the metal.

i: the valence of the non-metallic element.

X: chemical nomenclature of the non-metal.

j: the valence of the metallic element.

Regardless of the nomenclature to be used, the metallic element should always be named first, and then the non-metallic element.

Examples of binary salts

Binary salts are present in our daily lives, and they are in much more common use than we imagine. Here are ten examples of binary salts:

NaCl: Sodium chloride

It is known as common salt or table salt. It is white and crystalline in color, and is frequently used to season food.

FeCl

This salt is widely used in industrial applications, such as drinking water or wastewater treatment plants. It is also used in electronics for the manufacture of printed circuit boards.

CoS: Cobalt sulfide

It is used as an aid in the elaboration of other cobalt salts. In addition, it is used in the production of pigments and inks that, in turn, are used in manual work with glass and porcelain.

PbS

This substance is used to generate chemical reactions that help in the separation of the compound into its pure elements, that is, lead and sulfur.

Arena

Analogous to cobalt sulfide, it is used in the production of special pigments used in porcelain and glass works. In addition, it is used as a chemical additive in zootechnics.

LiBr: Lithium bromide

It is used in industry as a catalyst for drying in air conditioning equipment. It is also a powerful chemical reagent.

MgS: Magnesium Sulfide

When mixed with water, it produces magnesium hydroxide, sometimes used as an antacid or flavoring.

KBr: Potassium bromide

Currently it is used as veterinary medicine to prevent seizures or epileptic seizures in animals.

CaI

It is eventually used as a raw material in the production of expectorant cough syrups.

AlF

This salt is elemental in obtaining aluminum by electrolysis. To do this, it is mixed at high temperatures with aluminum oxide.

References

1. Binary combinations of a metal with a nonmetal: binary salts (sf). Recovered from: quimicaweb.net
2. Examples of Binary Sales (2015). Recovered from: quimicas.net
3. Inorganic formulation: binary salts (nd). Recovered from: yosoytuprofe.com
4. Pérez, J., and Merino, M. (2014). Definition of binary salts. Recovered from: definicion.de
5. Binary salt (sf). Recovered from: ecured.cu