Final answer:
For the laboratory preparation of copper(II) chloride, the most suitable reagents are iron(II) chloride (ferrous chloride) and copper(II) sulfate (cupric sulfate). Copper(II) sulfate, when combined with a chloride source or directly with HCl, can produce copper(II) chloride. Ksp values are crucial for deciding how to separate different ions in mixtures.
Step-by-step explanation:
The most suitable reagents for the laboratory preparation of copper(II) chloride are iron(II) chloride (ferrous chloride) and copper(II) sulfate (cupric sulfate). In a lab setting, copper(II) sulfate can react with either of these reagents to form copper(II) chloride. As per the given student's instructions, mixing copper(II) sulfate with an appropriate chloride source in aqueous solution would result in the formation of a precipitate of copper(II) chloride.
For instance, an in situ preparation can combine copper(II) sulfate with sodium carbonate to precipitate copper(II) carbonate and then add hydrochloric acid to dissolve the carbonate and form copper(II) chloride. Alternatively, directly mixing copper(II) sulfate with hydrochloric acid (HCl) will produce copper(II) chloride and sulfate ions left in the solution.
As for the separation of ions in mixtures, the student should consider the solubility product constants (Ksp) from Appendix J to determine the right reagents that can selectively precipitate one ion over the other, thereby achieving separation based on differences in solubility.