1. pH of Salts
When acids are neutralized by bases, water and a salt is formed. The salt solution can be acidic, basic, or neutral depending on the acid and base used in the neutralization.
Neutral salts (pH=7) are only produced when both acid and base were strong.
eg. HCl + KOH  KCl + H2O

2. Basic salts are produced when a strong base and weak acid are neutralized.
eg. NaOH + CH3CO2H  NaCH3CO2 + H20
from strong base
from weak acid
Salt is a base since:
CH3CO2- + H20  CH3CO2H + OH-
Metal oxides (MgO) react with water to make bases

3. 3. Acidic salts are produced when a strong acid and weak base are neutralized.
eg. HCl + NH3  NH4Cl + H20
from weak base
from strong acid
Salt is an acid since:
NH4+ + H2O  NH3 + H30+
Highly charged cations (+2, +3) except for Alkaline Earth Metals also create acidic solutions
Non metal oxides (CO2) react with water to make acids

4. Acidic or basic salts are produced when both acid and base are weak
Acidic or basic salts are produced when both acid and base are weak. It depends on the magnitude of the Ka and Kb values.
eg. HCN + NH3  NH4CN
from weak base
from weak acid
NH4+ Ka=5.8 X < CN- Kb=1.6X10-5
therefore salt is basic

5. Use ICE charts to calculate the pH of the salt with a specific concentration. Be sure to use the correct Ka or Kb values for the particular salt that is in equilibrium.