11. When each of the following is added to water, is the resulting solution acidic, basic, or neutral?
a) HClO,
b) NaCl,
c) HCN,
d) MgO,
e) CH3OH

Question

11.		When each of the following is added to water, is the resulting solution acidic, 			basic, or neutral? 
		a)	HClO, 
		b)	NaCl, 
		c)	HCN,
		d)	MgO, 
		e)	CH3OH

anonymous · Answer

Hey @mrrodriguez. Long time no talk. I am glad to help.

anonymous · Answer

a, c and e will be acidic, because when in water they dissociate, release Hydrogen ions, which is the key to make a solution acidic.
d will be basic, because when metal hydroxides, or oxides when dissolved in water, form basic solutions and the OH is responsable for that. The MgO+H2O-Mg(OH)2 releasing the OH ions.
b is neutral, because generally group 1 chlorides simply dissolve rather than reacting with water.

anonymous · Answer

I agree with @Hoslos. However, $\sf CH_3OH$ is special. Methanol, like water, can show either acidic or basic properties at the -$\sf OH$ group. Source: Wikipedia ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcohol)

anonymous · Answer

Yes, actually I was a little bit indecise. It is a true fact though. Thanks @tinybookworm.