Answer to Question #89536 in Inorganic Chemistry for Dinesh

Question

Why SnCl2 dissolves in HCl but not in ammonia .

Answer 1

Tin(II) chloride can dissolve in less than its own mass of water without apparent decomposition, but as the solution is diluted, hydrolysis occurs to form an insoluble basic salt:

$SnCl2 (aq) + H2O (l) ⇌ Sn(OH)Cl (s) + HCl (aq)$

Therefore, if clear solutions of tin(II) chloride are to be used, it must be dissolved in hydrochloric acid (typically of the same or greater molarity as the stannous chloride) to maintain the equilibrium towards the left-hand side (using Le Chatelier's principle).

Sources: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tin(II)_chloride