JEE Main · 2019 · Shift-IeasyIEQ-006

The amphoteric hydroxide is:

Ionic Equilibrium · Class 11 · JEE Main Previous Year Question

Question

The amphoteric hydroxide is:

Options
  1. a

    Be(OH)2\mathrm{Be(OH)_2}

  2. b

    Ca(OH)2\mathrm{Ca(OH)_2}

  3. c

    Mg(OH)2\mathrm{Mg(OH)_2}

  4. d

    Sr(OH)2\mathrm{Sr(OH)_2}

Correct Answera

Be(OH)2\mathrm{Be(OH)_2}

Detailed Solution

Amphoteric hydroxide = reacts with both acids AND bases.

Step 1 — Check each hydroxide:

(1) Be(OH)2\mathrm{Be(OH)_2}: Reacts with HCl (acid): Be(OH)2+2HClBeCl2+2H2O\mathrm{Be(OH)_2 + 2HCl \rightarrow BeCl_2 + 2H_2O} Also reacts with NaOH (base): Be(OH)2+2NaOHNa2[Be(OH)4]\mathrm{Be(OH)_2 + 2NaOH \rightarrow Na_2[Be(OH)_4]} \rightarrow Amphoteric

(2) Ca(OH)2\mathrm{Ca(OH)_2}: Only reacts with acids \rightarrow purely basic ✗

(3) Mg(OH)2\mathrm{Mg(OH)_2}: Only reacts with acids \rightarrow purely basic ✗

(4) Sr(OH)2\mathrm{Sr(OH)_2}: Only reacts with acids \rightarrow purely basic ✗

Note: Be is a small, highly polarising cation \rightarrow its hydroxide shows amphoteric character (similar to Al, Zn).

Answer: Option (1) — Be(OH)2\mathrm{Be(OH)_2}

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