Synthesis reaction between metal and nonmetal resulting in formation of a insoluble salt of iron
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
A synthesis reaction involves the combination of two or more reactants to form a more complex product. When a metal reacts with a nonmetal, a typical outcome is the formation of an ionic compound, which is often a salt. Specifically, in the case of iron (Fe), which is a metal, and a nonmetal, such as sulfur (S), they can react to form an insoluble salt, which is iron(II) sulfide (FeS) or iron(III) sulfide (Fe₂S₃), depending on the oxidation state of iron in the reaction.
Example of a synthesis reaction between a metal and nonmetal:
[ \text{Fe (s)} + \text{S (s)} \rightarrow \text{FeS (s)} ]
In this reaction:
- Iron (Fe) is a metal.
- Sulfur (S) is a nonmetal.
- The product is iron(II) sulfide (FeS), an insoluble salt.
Explanation:
- Reactants: Iron, as a transition metal, commonly forms different oxidation states, such as Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺. Sulfur typically forms the S²⁻ ion in ionic compounds. In a synthesis reaction, the iron atom can lose electrons (oxidation) and sulfur can gain electrons (reduction) to form an ionic bond.
- Ionic Bond Formation: Iron reacts with sulfur, and iron atoms lose electrons to form Fe²⁺ (iron(II)) or Fe³⁺ (iron(III)) ions, while sulfur gains electrons to form S²⁻ ions. These oppositely charged ions are attracted to each other, forming an ionic bond. In the case of iron(II) sulfide (FeS), the iron is in the +2 oxidation state. For iron(III) sulfide (Fe₂S₃), iron is in the +3 oxidation state.
- Insolubility: Iron sulfide (FeS) and iron(III) sulfide (Fe₂S₃) are generally insoluble in water. This is because the ionic lattice of these compounds is strong and does not easily dissolve in polar solvents like water.
Thus, the reaction between iron and sulfur results in the formation of an insoluble salt, iron sulfide (FeS) or iron(III) sulfide (Fe₂S₃), which is characteristic of a synthesis reaction between a metal and a nonmetal.