The formation of specific minerals may often be described using HSAB Theory. Predict which of the two choices is most likely to be the mineral found in nature and briefly explain your answer. a) ThS2 or ThO2 b) CaCl2 or HgCl2 c) Lead is often found in nature as its sulfide not its oxide.
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1. The formation of specific minerals may often be described using HSAB Theory. Predict which of the two choices is most likely to be the mineral found in nature and briefly explain your answer.
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a) ThS2 or ThO2
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b) CaCl2 or HgCl2
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c) Lead is often found in nature as its sulfide not its oxide.
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The HSAB (Hard and Soft Acids and Bases) Theory groups ions into soft/hard acids or bases. Basically, this theory states that like attracts to like. So, soft acids are attracted to soft bases.
Hard acids are attracted to hard bases, This attraction would lead you to predict which substance you most likely will see in nature.
Thorium - hard acid, so most likely it will be attracted to a hard base like oxide
Chloride - hard base and calcium is a hard acid
lead - soft acid and sulfide is soft base
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