A magnified crystal of a salt (halite/sodium chloride)

A salt, in chemistry, is defined as the product formed from the neutralisation reaction of acids and bases. Salts are ionic compounds composed of cations (positively charged ions) and anions (negative ions) so that the product is electrically neutral (without a net charge). These component ions can be inorganic such as chloride (Cl⁻), as well as organic such as acetate (CH₃COO⁻) and monoatomic ions such as fluoride (F⁻), as well as polyatomic ions such as sulfate (SO₄²⁻). For other uses, see Chemistry (disambiguation). ... This article is about common table salt. ... R-phrases 36 S-phrases none Flash point Non-flammable Related Compounds Other anions NaF, NaBr, NaI Other cations LiCl, KCl, RbCl, CsCl, MgCl2, CaCl2 Related salts Sodium acetate Supplementary data page Structure and properties n, εr, etc. ... Look up salt in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Sodium chloride (halite). ... Sodium chloride (halite). ... For Halite Bittorrent client , see Halite Client. ... R-phrases 36 S-phrases none Flash point Non-flammable Related Compounds Other anions NaF, NaBr, NaI Other cations LiCl, KCl, RbCl, CsCl, MgCl2, CaCl2 Related salts Sodium acetate Supplementary data page Structure and properties n, εr, etc. ... For other uses, see Chemistry (disambiguation). ... For alternative meanings see acid (disambiguation). ... Acids and bases: Acid-base extraction Acid-base reaction Acid dissociation constant Acidity function Buffer solutions pH Proton affinity Self-ionization of water Acids: Lewis acids Mineral acids Organic acids Strong acids Superacids Weak acids Bases: Lewis bases Organic bases Strong bases Superbases Non-nucleophilic bases Weak bases edit In... The crystal structure of sodium chloride, NaCl, a typical ionic compound. ... A cation is an ion with positive charge. ... This box:      Electric charge is a fundamental conserved property of some subatomic particles, which determines their electromagnetic interaction. ... An anion is an ion with negative charge. ... This box:      Electric charge is a fundamental conserved property of some subatomic particles, which determines their electromagnetic interaction. ... Traditionally, inorganic compounds are considered to be of mineral, not biological, origin. ... Organic chemistry is a specific discipline within chemistry which involves the scientific study of the structure, properties, composition, reactions, and preparation (by synthesis or by other means) of chemical compounds consisting primarily of carbon and hydrogen, which may contain any number of other elements, including nitrogen, oxygen, the halogens as... For other uses, see Acetate (disambiguation). ... A monoatomic ion is an ion consisting of a single atom. ... An electrostatic potential map of the nitrate ion (NO3−). Areas coloured red are lower in energy than areas coloured yellow A polyatomic ion is a molecule that bears ionic groups, that is, a molecule with a charge. ...

There are several varieties of salts. Salts that produce hydroxide ions when dissolved in water are basic salts and salts that produce hydronium ions in water are acid salts. Neutral salts are those that are neither acid nor basic salts. Zwitterions contain an anionic center and a cationic center in the same molecule but are not considered to be salts. Examples include amino acids, many metabolites, peptides and proteins. Hydroxide is a polyatomic ion consisting of oxygen and hydrogen: OH− It has a charge of −1. ... Base salts or Alkali salts are salts which contain a contain a hydroxide ion. ... In chemistry, hydronium is the common name for the cation H3O+ derived from protonation of water. ... Acid salts are a class of chemical compounds that are formed when a dibasic or tribasic acid has been neutralized to some degree. ... A zwitterion (from German Zwitter — hybrid, hermaphrodite) is a compound with acidic and basic groups in the same molecule. ... 3D (left and center) and 2D (right) representations of the terpenoid molecule atisane. ... This article is about the class of chemicals. ... A metabolite is the product of metabolism. ... Peptides (from the Greek πεπτος, digestible), are the family of short molecules formed from the linking, in a defined order, of various α-amino acids. ... A representation of the 3D structure of myoglobin, showing coloured alpha helices. ...

When salts are dissolved in water, they are called electrolytes, and are able to conduct electricity, a property that is shared with molten salts. Mixtures of many different ions in solution—like in the cytoplasm of cells, in blood, urine, plant saps and mineral waters— usually do not form defined salts after evaporation of the water. Therefore, their salt content is given for the respective ions. An electrolyte is any substance containing free ions that behaves as an electrically conductive medium. ... Electricity (from New Latin Ä“lectricus, amberlike) is a general term for a variety of phenomena resulting from the presence and flow of electric charge. ... Schematic showing the cytoplasm, with major components of a typical animal cell. ... Drawing of the structure of cork as it appeared under the microscope to Robert Hooke from Micrographia which is the origin of the word cell being used to describe the smallest unit of a living organism Cells in culture, stained for keratin (red) and DNA (green) The cell is the... For other uses, see Blood (disambiguation). ... This article is about the urine of animals generally. ... In many places, mineral water is often colloquially used to mean carbonated water (which is usually carbonated mineral water, as opposed to tap water). ...

Properties

Table salt and peppercorns.

Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1024x768, 99 KB) Table salt and peppercorns. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1024x768, 99 KB) Table salt and peppercorns. ... Black pepper is a seasoning produced from the fermented, dried, unripe red berries, called peppercorn, of the plant Piper nigrum. ...

Colour

Salts can appear to be clear and transparent (sodium chloride), opaque, and even metallic and lustrous (iron disulfide). In many cases the apparent opacity or transparency are only related to the difference in size of the individual monocrystals. Since light reflects from the grain boundaries (boundaries between crystallites), larger crystals tend to be transparent, while polycrystalline aggregates look like white powders. Of course, some salts are inherently opaque. Transparent glass ball In optics, transparency is the property of allowing light to pass. ... R-phrases 36 S-phrases none Flash point Non-flammable Related Compounds Other anions NaF, NaBr, NaI Other cations LiCl, KCl, RbCl, CsCl, MgCl2, CaCl2 Related salts Sodium acetate Supplementary data page Structure and properties n, εr, etc. ... A substance or object that is opaque is neither transparent nor translucent. ... The mineral pyrite, or iron pyrite, is iron sulfide, FeS2. ... A substance or object that is opaque is neither transparent nor translucent. ... Transparent glass ball In optics, transparency is the property of allowing light to pass. ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... A crystallite is a domain of solid-state matter that has the same structure as a single crystal. ... For other uses, see Crystal (disambiguation). ... ]]s are polycrystalline. ... A substance or object that is opaque is neither transparent nor translucent. ...

Salts exist in all different colors, e.g. yellow (sodium chromate), orange (potassium dichromate), red (mercury sulfide), mauve (cobalt chloride hexahydrate), blue (copper sulfate pentahydrate, ferric hexacyanoferrate), green (nickel oxide), colorless (magnesium sulfate), white, and black (manganese dioxide). Most minerals and inorganic pigments as well as many synthetic organic dyes are salts. Color is an important part of the visual arts. ... A yellow Tulip. ... A sample of ammonium dichromate Chromates and dichromates are salts of chromic acid and dichromic acid, respectively. ... See also Orange (disambiguation) for other meanings of the word. ... Potassium dichromate, K2Cr2O7 is used in oxidation reactions. ... For other uses, see Red (disambiguation). ... Cinnabar, sometimes written cinnabarite, is a name applied to red mercury(II) sulfide (HgS), or native vermilion, the common ore of mercury. ... This is an article about the color mauve. ... Cobalt(II) chloride is the chemical compound with the formula CoCl2, although the term is used also to refer to the hexahydrate, which is a different chemical compound. ... This article is about the colour. ... Flash point non flammable Related Compounds Other cations Nickel(II) sulfate Zinc sulfate Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 Â°C, 100 kPa) Infobox disclaimer and references Copper(II) sulfate (sulphate in most Commonwealth nations) is the chemical compound with the formula... A sample of Prussian blue Prussian blue (German: Preußischblau or Berliner Blau, in English Berlin blue) is a dark blue pigment used in paints and formerly in blueprints. ... For other uses, see Green (disambiguation). ... Nickel(II) oxide is the chemical compound with the formula NiO. This species adopts the NaCl structure, with octahedral Ni(II) and O2- sites. ... Magnesium sulfate (or sulphate) is a chemical compound containing magnesium and sulfate, with the formula MgSO4. ... This article is about the color. ... This article is about the color. ... Manganese(IV) oxide is the chemical compound MnO2, more usually called manganese dioxide. ... Minerals are natural compounds formed through geological processes. ... Natural Ultramarine pigment in powdered form. ... Look up dye in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

Taste

Different salts can elicit all five basic tastes, e.g. salty (sodium chloride), sweet (lead diacetate; but which will cause lead poisoning if ingested), sour (potassium bitartrate), bitter (magnesium sulfate), and umami or savory (monosodium glutamate). Sour redirects here. ... R-phrases 36 S-phrases none Flash point Non-flammable Related Compounds Other anions NaF, NaBr, NaI Other cations LiCl, KCl, RbCl, CsCl, MgCl2, CaCl2 Related salts Sodium acetate Supplementary data page Structure and properties n, εr, etc. ... Lead diacetate or sugar of lead was used as an artificial sweetener for wine in ancient times before lead was known to be toxic. ... Lead poisoning is a medical condition, also known as saturnism, plumbism or painters colic, caused by increased blood lead levels. ... Potassium bitartrate also potassium hydrogen tartrate has formula KC4H5O6. ... Human taste sensory organs, called taste buds or gustatory calyculi, and concentrated on the upper surface of the tongue, appear to be receptive to relatively few chemical species as tastes. ... Magnesium sulfate (or sulphate) is a chemical compound containing magnesium and sulfate, with the formula MgSO4. ... Human taste sensory organs, called taste buds or gustatory calyculi, and concentrated on the upper surface of the tongue, appear to be receptive to relatively few chemical species as tastes. ... This article is about the chemical compound. ...

Odor

Salts of strong acids and strong bases ("strong salts") are non-volatile and odorless, while salts of either weak acids or weak bases ("weak salts") may smell after the conjugate acid (e.g. acetates like acetic acid (vinegar) and cyanides like hydrogen cyanide (almonds) or the conjugate base (e.g. ammonium salts like ammonia) of the component ions. That slow, partial decomposition is usually accelerated by presence of water, since hydrolysis is the other half of the reversible reaction equation of formation of weak salts. Strong salts or strong electrolyte salts are, as the name suggests, composed of strong electrolytes. ... The ability of a liquid to evaporate quickly and at relatively low temperatures. ... Weak salts or weak electrolyte salts are, as the name suggests, composed of weak electrolytes. ... Within the Brønsted-Lowry (protonic) theory of acids and bases, a conjugate acid is the acid member, HX, of a pair of two compounds that transform into each other by gain or loss of a proton. ... Vinegar is sometimes infused with spices or herbs—as here, with oregano. ... For other uses, see Almond (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Ammonia (disambiguation). ... Hydrolysis is a chemical reaction or process in which a chemical compound is broken down by reaction with water. ... A reversible reaction is a chemical reaction that may proceed in both the forward and reverse directions. ... Weak salts or weak electrolyte salts are, as the name suggests, composed of weak electrolytes. ...

Nomenclature

Various salt minerals

Chemical composition of sea salt

The name of a salt starts with the name of the cation (e.g. sodium or ammonium) followed by the name of the anion (e.g. chloride or acetate). Salts are often referred to only by the name of the cation (e.g. sodium salt or ammonium salt) or by the name of the anion (e.g. chloride or acetate). Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (2344x1779, 388 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Salt Halite Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or scanner used to... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (2344x1779, 388 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Salt Halite Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or scanner used to... Image File history File links Sea_salt-e_hg. ... Image File history File links Sea_salt-e_hg. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...

Common salt-forming cations include:

• ammonium NH₄⁺
• calcium Ca²⁺
• iron Fe²⁺ and Fe ³⁺
• magnesium Mg²⁺
• potassium K⁺
• pyridinium C₅H₅NH⁺
• quaternary ammonium NR₄⁺
• sodium Na⁺

Common salt-forming anions (and the name of the parent acids in parentheses) include: A ball-and-stick model of the ammonium cation Ammonium is also an old name for the Siwa Oasis in western Egypt. ... For other uses, see Calcium (disambiguation). ... General Name, symbol, number iron, Fe, 26 Chemical series transition metals Group, period, block 8, 4, d Appearance lustrous metallic with a grayish tinge Standard atomic weight 55. ... General Name, symbol, number magnesium, Mg, 12 Chemical series alkaline earth metals Group, period, block 2, 3, s Appearance silvery white solid at room temp Standard atomic weight 24. ... General Name, symbol, number potassium, K, 19 Chemical series alkali metals Group, period, block 1, 4, s Appearance silvery white Standard atomic weight 39. ... Pyridinium cation Pyridinium refers to the cationic form of pyridine. ... Categories: Chemistry stubs ... For sodium in the diet, see Salt. ...

• acetate CH₃COO⁻ (acetic acid)
• carbonate CO₃²⁻ (carbonic acid)
• chloride Cl⁻ (hydrochloric acid)
• citrate HOC(COO⁻)(CH₂COO⁻)₂ (citric acid)
• cyanide C≡N⁻ (hydrogen cyanide)
• hydroxide OH⁻ (water)
• nitrate NO₃⁻ (nitric acid)
• nitrite NO₂⁻ (nitrous acid)
• oxide O²⁻ (water)
• phosphate PO₄³⁻ (phosphoric acid)
• sulfate SO₄²⁻ (sulfuric acid)

For other uses, see Acetate (disambiguation). ... R-phrases , S-phrases , , , Flash point 43 °C Related Compounds Related carboxylic; acids Formic acid; Propionic acid; Butyric acid Related compounds acetamide; ethyl acetate; acetyl chloride; acetic anhydride; acetonitrile; acetaldehyde; ethanol; thioacetic acid; acetylcholine; acetylcholinesterase Supplementary data page Structure and properties n, εr, etc. ... Ball-and-stick model of the carbonate ion, CO32− For other meanings, see Carbonate (disambiguation) In chemistry, a carbonate is a salt or ester of carbonic acid. ... Carbonic acid (ancient name acid of air or aerial acid) has the formula H2CO3. ... The chloride ion is formed when the element chlorine picks up one electron to form an anion (negatively-charged ion) Cl−. The salts of hydrochloric acid HCl contain chloride ions and can also be called chlorides. ... Hydrochloric acid is the aqueous solution of hydrogen chloride gas (HCl). ... Chemical strucutre of citric acid. ... Citric acid is a weak organic acid found in citrus fruits. ... This article is about the chemical compound. ... R-phrases , , , , . S-phrases , , , , , , , , . Flash point −17. ... Hydroxide is a polyatomic ion consisting of oxygen and hydrogen: OH− It has a charge of −1. ... H2O and HOH redirect here. ... Trinitrate redirects here. ... The chemical compound nitric acid (HNO3), also known as aqua fortis and spirit of nitre, is an aqueous solution of hydrogen nitrate (anhydrous nitric acid). ... // Definition The nitrite ion is NO2−. A nitrite compound is one that contains this group, either an ionic compound, or an analogous covalent one. ... Nitrous acid (molecular formula HNO2) is a weak monobasic acid known only in solution and in the form of nitrite salts. ... An oxide is a chemical compound containing at least one oxygen atom and other elements. ... H2O and HOH redirect here. ... A phosphate, in inorganic chemistry, is a salt of phosphoric acid. ... This article is about orthophosphoric acid. ... The sulfate anion, SO42− The structure and bonding of the sulfate ion In inorganic chemistry, a sulfate (IUPAC-recommended spelling; also sulphate in British English) is a salt of sulfuric acid. ... Sulfuric acid, (also known as sulphuric acid) H2SO4, is a strong mineral acid. ...

Formation

Salts are formed by a chemical reaction between: For other uses, see Chemical reaction (disambiguation). ...

• A base and an acid, e.g. NH₃ + HCl → NH₄Cl.

• A metal and an acid, e.g. Mg + H₂SO₄ → MgSO₄ + H₂.

• A base and an acid anhydride, e.g. 2 NaOH + Cl₂O → 2 NaClO + H₂O

• An acid and an basic anhydride, e.g. 2 HNO₃ + Na₂O → 2 NaNO₃ + H₂O

• Salts can also form if solutions of different salts are mixed, their ions recombine, and the new salt is insoluble and precipitates (see: solubility equilibrium), for example:

Pb(NO₃)₂(aq) + Na₂SO₄(aq) → PbSO₄(s) + NaNO₃(aq) Acids and bases: Acid-base extraction Acid-base reaction Acid dissociation constant Acidity function Buffer solutions pH Proton affinity Self-ionization of water Acids: Lewis acids Mineral acids Organic acids Strong acids Superacids Weak acids Bases: Lewis bases Organic bases Strong bases Superbases Non-nucleophilic bases Weak bases edit In... For other uses, see acid (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Ammonia (disambiguation). ... Hydrochloric acid is the aqueous solution of hydrogen chloride gas (HCl). ... Ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) (also Sal Ammoniac, salmiac, nushadir salt, zalmiak, sal armagnac, sal armoniac, salmiakki, salmiak and salt armoniack) is, in its pure form, a clear white water-soluble crystalline salt of ammonia with a biting, slightly sour taste. ... This article is about metallic materials. ... For other uses, see acid (disambiguation). ... General Name, symbol, number magnesium, Mg, 12 Chemical series alkaline earth metals Group, period, block 2, 3, s Appearance silvery white solid at room temp Standard atomic weight 24. ... Sulfuric acid, (also known as sulphuric acid) H2SO4, is a strong mineral acid. ... Magnesium sulfate (or sulphate) is a chemical compound containing magnesium and sulfate, with the formula MgSO4. ... This article is about the chemistry of hydrogen. ... Acids and bases: Acid-base extraction Acid-base reaction Acid dissociation constant Acidity function Buffer solutions pH Proton affinity Self-ionization of water Acids: Lewis acids Mineral acids Organic acids Strong acids Superacids Weak acids Bases: Lewis bases Organic bases Strong bases Superbases Non-nucleophilic bases Weak bases edit In... An oxide is a chemical compound containing at least one oxygen atom and other elements. ... Sodium hydroxide (NaOH), also known as lye, caustic soda and (incorrectly, according to IUPAC nomenclature)[1] sodium hydrate, is a caustic metallic base. ... Dichlorine monoxide, Cl2O, is a chlorine oxide. ... Sodium hypochlorite is a chemical compound with the formula NaClO. Sodium hypochlorite solution, commonly known as bleach, is frequently used as a disinfectant and as a bleaching agent. ... Impact from a water drop causes an upward rebound jet surrounded by circular capillary waves. ... For other uses, see acid (disambiguation). ... An oxide is a chemical compound containing at least one oxygen atom and other elements. ... The chemical compound nitric acid (HNO3), also known as aqua fortis and spirit of nitre, is an aqueous solution of hydrogen nitrate (anhydrous nitric acid). ... Sodium oxide is a chemical compound with the formula Na2O. It is used in ceramics and glasses. ... Made of Porn and sex things Inhalation respiratory irritation Skin May cause irritation. ... Impact from a water drop causes an upward rebound jet surrounded by circular capillary waves. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with chemical equilibrium. ...

References

• Mark Kurlansky (2002). Salt: A World History. Walker Publishing Company. ISBN 0-14-200161-9.

Mark Kurlansky (b. ...

See also

Look up Salt (chemistry) in
Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

Look up Desalt in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Salt

• Acid salt also known as Hydrogen salt
• Alkali salts also known as Basic salt
• Edible salt
• Electrolyte
• Halide
• Ionic bonds
• Kosher salt
• Natron
• Old Salt Route
• Road salt
• Salting the earth (the deliberate massive use of salt to render a soil unsuitable for cultivation and thus discourage habitation)
• Sodium
• Table salt
• Zwitterion
• Salinity
• hypertension

Wiktionary (a portmanteau of wiki and dictionary) is a multilingual, Web-based project to create a free content dictionary, available in over 151 languages. ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Wiktionary (a portmanteau of wiki and dictionary) is a multilingual, Web-based project to create a free content dictionary, available in over 151 languages. ... Acid salts are a class of chemical compounds that are formed when a dibasic or tribasic acid has been neutralized to some degree. ... Alkali salts or base salts are salts which contain one or more hydroxide ions. ... Edible salt is mostly sodium chloride (NaCl). ... An electrolyte is any substance containing free ions that behaves as an electrically conductive medium. ... A halide is a binary compound, of which one part is a halogen atom and the other part is an element or radical that is less electronegative than the halogen, to make a fluoride, chloride, bromide, iodide, or astatide compound. ... Sodium and chlorine bonding ionically to form sodium chloride. ... Kosher salt (sodium chloride) (or more correctly, Koshering Salt), is one of the most commonly used varieties of salt in commercial kitchens today. ... Natron is a white, crystalline hygroscopic mineral salt, primarily a mixture of sodium bicarbonate (common baking soda) and sodium carbonate (soda ash) with small amounts of sodium chloride (table salt) and sodium sulfate. ... The Old Salt Route (German: Alte Salzstraße) was a medieval trade route in northern Germany for the transport of salt. ... Sodium chloride, also known as common salt, table salt, or halite, is a chemical compound with formula NaCl. ... This article or section is missing references or citation of sources. ... For sodium in the diet, see Salt. ... Edible salt is a mineral, one of the few rocks people eat. ... A zwitterion (from German Zwitter — hybrid, hermaphrodite) is a compound with acidic and basic groups in the same molecule. ... Annual mean sea surface salinity for the World Ocean. ... For other forms of hypertension, see Hypertension (disambiguation). ...