Winter Holiday H.

Grade : 12 Sub: Chemistry

Instruction: You are required to learn the scheme for the systematic analysis to
find out the cation and anion of a given salt.

Salt Analysis
Aim- To identify the anion and cation present in the given salt.

Preliminary Test

Experiment Observation Inference

1. Colour of the salt is noted Blue /bluish green Copper (Cu2+)
Light green Iron- Ferrous(Fe2+)
Dark brown Iron-Ferric( Fe3+)
Green Nickel( Ni2+)
Pink Cobalt( Co2+)
Light pink or flesh colour or earthy Manganese(Mn2+)
colour
Shows the absence of
White Cu2+,Fe2 ,Fe3+ ,Ni2+ ,Co2+ ,Mn2+

2. Solubility of the salt in water Soluble Absence of insoluble

is noted carbonates
3. Flame test:
Introduce a paste of the salt Brick red colour flame Presence of Ca2+
with conc.HCl to the non- Crimson red Presence of Sr2+
luminous part of the flame. Grassy green Presence of Ba2+
Bluish green Presence of Cu2+

No characteristic flame absence of Ca2+,Sr2+, Ba2,+

Cu2+
4. Ash Test
To a small amount of the salt No characteristic ash Absence of Al3+,Zn2+ and
in a watch glass, add Mg2+
conc.HNO3 and cobalt
nitrate .Dip a filter paper in it
and burn
5. Mix a little of the salt with Smell of vinegar Indicates presence of
few drops of dil H2SO4 on a acetate ion
watch glass with a glass rod
and note the odour of the
mixture
Anion Analysis

1 Action for dil .H2S04

a) Colourless Carbonate is present.
Test for carbonate(CO32- )and and odourless gas is
sulphide (S2-) evolved.
Take a small amount of salt in a test tube
and add dil.H2SO4 b) No characteristic Absence of and
reaction. Carbonate sulphide

2 Action for Conc. H2S04

Pungent irritating gas is Chloride is present.
Take a small amount of salt in a test tube evolved which gives dense
and add 2-3 drops of Conc .Sulphuric white fumes with a glass
acid( heat the contents if there is no rod dipped in ammonium
reaction in the cold) hydroxide(NH4OH)

Reddish brown vapours. Presence of bromide.

Violet vapours . Presence of iodide .

Copious evolution of a
brown gas on adding a Presence of nitrate ion
paper ball.

Colour less vapours with Presence of acetate ion

vinegar smell.
Absence of
No characteristic reaction. chloride ,bromide ,
iodide nitrate and
acetate ion

4
Test for Phospahte (PO43-)
Take 1ml of water extract in a test tube Canary yellow colour or Presence of phosphate.
and add 1ml of conc. HNO3 ,boil,cool and ppt.
add ammonium molybdate and heat the Absence of phosphate .
contents. No characteristic reaction.
5

Test for sulphate(SO4 2-) White precipitate insoluble Presence of

in conc.HCl and coc. HNO3 sulphate(SO4 2-)
Take 1ml of the water extract in a test
tube and add Barium chloride solution. No characteristic reaction.
Absence of
sulphate(SO4 2-)

CONFIRMATORY TEST FOR ANIONS

Confirmatory test for carbonate
1. a)Lime water Test Lime water turns milky Presence of carbonate
Confirmatory test for Carbonate is confirmed
Pass the evolved gas through lime water. A white precipitate is
b) Dil HCl Test formed which is soluble in Presence of carbonate
To the salt solution add dil HCl dil.HCl or HNO3. is confirmed
c)Magnesium Sulphate test
CO2 evolves with brisk
To the salt solution add magnesium effervescence. Presence of carbonate
sulphate is confirmed

2.

Confirmatory test for Chloride Curdy white precipitate is

a) Take 1ml of the salt solution add formed , which is soluble in Presence of Chloride
dil. HNO3 followed by a silver NH4OH ion confirmed
nitrate solution
b) Chromyl chloride test
Take a small amount of salt in a A yellow coloured solution Presence of chloride
test tube and add equal amount is formed which gives a confirmed
of solid K2Cr2O7 and conc H2SO4 yellow precipitate with
Pass the red vapours through acetic acid and lead acetate
NaOH solution

5.

Confirmatory test for nitrate

a)Brown ring test

Take one ml of the salt solution Presence of nitrate
in a test tube and add equal Brown ring is formed at the confirmed.
volume of freshly prepared junction of the liquid.
saturated ferrous ( The composition of brown
 sulphate( FeSO4) mix and allow ring is FeSO4.NO, Nitroso
to stand .Then add slowly few ferrous sulphate.
drops of conc. H2SO4 carefully
down the side of the test tube.
b) To a little of the salt solution add A deep blue colouration is Presence of nitrate ion
diphenyl amine reagent. obtained. confirmed .
Copper Chips Test :
To the salt solution add few drops of Reddish brown gas Nitrate ion confirmed.
conc.H2SO4 and few copper chips and
heat.
Confirmatory test for phosphate a)A White ppt. is formed Presence of Phosphate
a) To the salt solution add confirmed.
ammonium hydroxide till it just
becomes alkaline .To this
solution add calcium chloride
solution. Presence of phosphate
b) To the above ppt add dil.HCl b) It dissolves ion is confirmed.

Confirmatory test for sulphate

Presence of sulphate
A) To a little of the salt solution A White precipitate is confirmed
add acetic acid followed by lead formed.
acetate solution.

b) To the above precipitate add The precipitate dissolves Presence of sulphate

excess of ammonium acetate ion confirmed
solution

Confirmatory test for acetate

a)To the salt solution and add 2-3 Reddish brown colour Presence of acetate
drops of FeCl3 solution dilute it to appears with FeCl3 and confirmed
the boiling point . reddish brown precipitate
on boiling .

b) Heat a pinch of the salt with a A pleasant fruity smell Presence of acetate
few drops of conc .H2SO4 and a confirmed
little of ethyl alcohol
Cation Analysis( Test for basic radicals )

Test for ammonia (NH4+)( zero

group )
A colourless gas with Pungent Presence of NH4+
To a small amount of salt add smell of ammonia is evolved .It
dil.NaOH and heat gives dense white fumes when a Presence of NH4+
Bring a moist litmus paper near glass rod dipped in conc.HCl is
the mouth of the test tube. held at the mouth of the test
tube)
The litmus paper turns blue Absence of zero group
No pungent smell

Test for Group 1

To the salt solution add dil.HCl White precipitate Group I is present
( Presence of Pb2+)

No characteristic reaction Absence of group 1

Group II Black precipitate Group II is present(

To the salt solution add dil.HCl (Presence of Cu2+)
followed by H2S
No characteristic reaction Absence of group II

Group III White gelatinous precipitate is Group III is present,Presence of

To the salt solution add solid formed Al3+
NH4Cl dissolve it, then add
NH4OH. Reddish brown ppt. Presence of Fe3+

No characteristic reaction Absence of group III

Group IV

To the salt solution add solid

NH4Cl dissolve it, then add White precipitate Group IV is present
NH4OH solution followed by H2S Presence of Zn2+
water .
Buff ppt( skin colour) Presence of Mn2+

Black ppt Presence of Ni2+

 No characteristic reaction Absence of group IV

Group V
White precipitate is formed Presence of group V ion Ba2+, Sr2+
To the salt solution add solid or Ca2+
NH4Cl dissolve it , then add
NH4OH solution followed by
ammonium carbonate solution.
( (NH4)2 CO3 solution.
No characteristic reaction
Absence of group V ions

Group VI
To the salt solution add solid White ppt is formed Indicates presence of group VI
NH4Cl dissolve it,then add ion – Mg 2+
NH4OH solution followed by
(NH4)3PO4( or Na2HPO4)
solution. No characteristic reaction Absence of group VI

CONFIRMATORY TESTS FOR CATIONS

Confirmatory test for
Ammonium ( NH4+)
To a small amount of salt
solution add dil.NaOH and heat

a) Bring a glass rod dipped Presence of NH4+ confirmed

in Conc.HCl near the Dense white fumes
mouth of the test tube
b) To the salt solution add Brown ppt.
few drops of Nesslers Presence of NH4+ confirmed
reagent ( K2 Hg I4)
potassium tetraiodo
mercurate (II)
Confirmatory test for Group 1 Yellow precipitate (PbCrO4) Presence of Pb2+ is confirmed
(Pb2+ )
a) To alittle of the salt solution
add potassiumchromate solution
.

b) To the salt solution add few A yellow precipitate is formed Presence of Pb2+ is confirmed
drops potassium iodide solution.

Confirmatory test for copper

Dissolve the black precipitate in

50% HNO3 (1 part water with 1
part HNO3 )
Divide the solution in to two
parts
a) To the first part add Light blue precipitate which Presence of Cu2+ confirmed .
NH4OH drop by drop dissolves in excess NH4OH and
then excess gives a deep blue colour.
b) To the second part add
acetic acid and Chocolate brown precipitate Presence of Cu2+ confirmed.
Potassium ferroccyanide

Confirmatory test for group III

1. Confirmatory test for Al3+

To a little of thesalt solution A white precipitate soluble in Presence of Al3+ is confirmed

NaOH drops are added . excess NaOH.

2. To the salt solution blue

litmus is added followed by A blue precipitate floating on
NH4OH. the clear solution. Presence of Al3+ is confirmed

3. Ash Test
The white precipitate of group Blue tinted ash
III is dissolved in small amount of Presence of Al3+ is confirmed
conc.HNO3 and boiled with a
few drops of cobalt nitrate
solution.A folded filter paper is
soaked and burnt to ashes.
Confirmatory test for Group IV
( Zn2+,Mn2+, Co2+,Ni2+)
Confirmatory test for Zn2+

1. To a little of the salt solution A white precipitate is formed Confirms presence of zinc ion.
add NaOH drop by drop. which dissolves in excess NaOH.

2. To a little of the salt solution A white or bluish white Confirms presence of zinc ion.
add potassium ferrocyanide precipitate is formed
solution.

Confirmatory test for Mn2+

1. To a little of the salt solution A white precipitate is formed Confirms presence of

add NaOH solution which turns brown on keeping manganese ion .
for sometime.

2. To a little of the salt solution Supernatant liquid is purple in Confirmsthe presence of

add conc. HNO3 and a little lead colour . manganese.
dioxide. Boil the mixture ,dilute
it and allow it to cool

Confirmatory test for Co2+

To the salt solution add acetic Yellow precipitate is formed Confirms presence of cobalt ion.
acid and crystal of potassium
nitrate.

Analysis of Group V cations :

Ba2+ , Sr2+, Ca2+

1. To the first part add potassium Yellow ppt. Precipitate of Ba2+ confirmed.
chromate solution.
2. Flame Test: Little of the salt is A pale green colour is imparted Precipitate of Ba2+ confirmed
mixed with conc.HCL in a watch to the flame
glass and flame test is carried
out.

Confirmatory test for Ca2+ White crystalline ppt soluble in Precipitate of Ca2+ confirmed
1. To the second part add acetic acid .
NH4OH and ammonium
oxalate solutions.
2. Falme test : Little of the salt A brick red colour is imparted to Precipitate of Ca2+ confirmed
is mixed with conc.HCl in a watch the flame .
glass and flame test is carried
out .

Confirmatory test for Sr2+ White precipitate Presence of Sr2+ confirmed .

1. To the third part add
saturated (NH4)2SO4 and the
resultant solution is boiled .
2. Flame Test : Little of the salt A crimson red colour is observed Presence of Sr2+ confirmed.
solution is mixed with conc.HCl
in a watch glass and flame test
is carried out.

Confirmatory test for Mg2+

1.To the salt solution add solid White precipitate Presence of Mg2+
NH4Cl dissolve it,then add
NH4OH solution followed by
(NH4)3PO4( or Na2HPO4)
solution.
2. To the above precipitate add Violet /or purple colouration Presence of Mg2+ confirmed
cobalt nitrate solution .

A green or bluish green colour is Presence of Mg2+ confirmed

To the salt solution add obtained
Magneson reagent.

Result:

The given salt contains anion ________________ (eg Cl- ) and Cation__________ ( eg:NH4+)

... The given Salt is ______________(eg: Ammonium chloride NH4Cl)