Which of the following reagents can separate a mixture of AgCl and AgI? — Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Step 1: AgCl and AgI have significantly different solubility products (Ksp of AgCl ~ 1.8 x 10^-10, Ksp of AgI ~ 8.3 x 10^-17). Step 2: Ammonia (NH3) forms a soluble diamminesilver(I) complex, [Ag(NH3)2]+, with silver ions. This complexation is strong enough to dissolve AgCl but is unable to dissolve the far more insoluble AgI. Step 3: Thus, treating the mixture with dilute ammonia (NH3) selectively dissolves AgCl while leaving AgI as an insoluble yellow residue, enabling separation. This corresponds to option (d).