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Unless the anion is a complex ion containing a transition metal, main group salts are colourless (white). Significant exceptions are AgBr, cream, and PbI2 and AgI, both yellow; all three are insoluble in water. Oxides are often brightly coloured; they are insoluble in water. The colour found in oxides and in some other compounds such as AgBr and PbI2 is due to interactions in the crystal lattice. Lead(II) iodide when dissolved in hot water is colourless, forming shining yellow plates as it crystallises. Salts of transition elements are usually coloured; however freshly prepared anhydrous CuSO4 is nearly white, CuI is pale cream and insoluble in water. Colour in transition metal ions is usually due to electron transitions within the d-shell. Intensely coloured ions with the metal in its highest oxidation state (e.g. Mn(VII), Cr(VI), Fe(VI)) derive the colour from electron transitions between the metal and the oxygen atoms. The reactions involved in these tests are covered in the cation and anion pages. Vanadium: (V) is yellow (IV) is blue (not quite the same hue as copper(II) ions) (III) is green (II) is lavender
In C A
Chromium: (III) is green or purplish green; some crystalline salts are deep purple, e.g. chromium(III) potassium sulphate-24 water (chrome alum). The colour of chromium(III) depends on the ligands around the ion. [Cr(H2O)6]3+ is violet; however production of chromium(III) by reduction of chromium(VI) compounds gives chromium(III) with some of the water ligands replaced with other species, e.g. [Cr(H2O)4Cl2]+. Such ions are green, and water displaces the other ligands very slowly indeed. (VI) is yellow in CrO42-, orange in Cr2O72-.
Manganese: (II) is very pale pink, appearing colourless in all but concentrated solutions (VI) is deep green in MnO42- (stable only in alkaline solutions) (VII) is purple in MnO4- .
Iron: (II) is pale green (III) is yellow in solution; some solid salts, e.g. iron(III) ammonium sulphate, are amethyst.
Cobalt: (II) (hydrated) is red; anhydrous is deep blue. This is the basis of the use of CoCl2 paper to show the presence of water. (III) is red, indistinguishable from Co(II) by colour alone.
Copper: (II) is blue or occasionally bright green in solution (CuCl42-); solids may be either (I) is nearly white (as CuI) and insoluble in water.
Solubility
The following are insoluble (or nearly so) in water: Halides: Pb2+, Ag+ Sulphates: Ba2+, Sr2+, Ca2+, Pb2+ Carbonates: all except those of the alkali metals. Aluminium carbonate does not exist.