Scheme for Systematic Salt Analysis

Experiments Observation Inference

Preliminary
examination
[Link] and 1 .Blue Cu2+ is present.
appearance of the salt is 2. Green Ni2+ or Fe2+ present
noted 3 .Reddish brown . Fe3+ is present
[Link] red. Co2+ is present
5 light pink. Mn2+is present
6 white / colourless. Absence of Cu2+,
Fe2+,Fe3+,Co2+,
Mn2+.
[Link] of the salt
Take a pinch of the 1 . Smell of ammonia. Presence of ammonium
salt between your 2. Vinegar smell . ammonium.
Presence of acetate
fingers and rub it with a 3 .No characteristic Presence of acetate.
drop of water and smell. Absence of
smell. ammonium, acetate.
[Link] of heat
A little of the salt is 1 colourless odorless Presence of carbonate.
strongly heated in a gas which turn lime
clean dry test tube. water milky.
2 . Vinegar smell. Presence of acetate.

3. Reddish brown Nitrates of lead,

vapors with irritating copper, Barium etc may
smell. be present.
Presence of Chloride.
[Link] yellow
vapors are evolved. Absence of carbonate,
[Link] characteristic nitrate, acetate etc.
vapors.
[Link]
[Link] water [Link] and no Presence of NH4+.
precipitate withNa2CO3
[Link] and Absence of ammonium.
precipitate with
Na2CO3.
[Link] [Link] [Link] Absence of group1
cations.
[Link]. Group1 cations may be
present.

[Link] Test
Salt is made into a [Link] green flame Presence of Barium .
paste with few drops [Link] red flame. Presence of Sr2+
off [Link] and [Link] red flame. Presence of Ca2+
shown into the flame [Link] characteristic Absence of Ba2+,
flame. Sr2+,Ca2+.

[Link] Test
To a little of the salt [Link] tinted ash. Presence of Al3+.
solution add 2 drops of [Link] tinted ash. Presence of Zn2+.
conc . HNO3 and 1-2 [Link] ash. Presence of Mg2+.
drops of Cobalt nitrate 4. No characteristic Absence of Al3+,
solution. Boil it. Dip a ash. Zn2+, Mg2+.
filter paper into it and
burn to ashes.
Analysis of Anions ( Acid Radicals)
[Link] of [Link]
To the test tube, add a [Link] effervescence with the evolution of a Presence of
little of of the salt and colorless odorless gas . carbonate is
[Link]. MCO3+2HCl→MCl2+CO2+H2O identified.
b. No effervescence Absence of
carbonate.

[Link] of dil.H2SO4 a)Smell of vinegar Presence of

A little of the salt is CH3COOM +H2SO4→MHSO4 +CH3COOH acetate
rubbed with dil.H2SO4 b) No smell of vinegar. Absence of
in a watch glass. acetate.

[Link] of Conc. a.A colourless fuming gas is evolved which

H2SO4 gives dense white fumes when a glass road Presence of
A little of the salt is dipped in NH4OH is shown into the mouth of Chloride is
warmed with the test tube. identified.
Conc.H2SO4 in a dry
test tube. MCl+H2SO4→MHSO4 +HCl
HCl+NH4OH→NH4Cl+H2O
[Link] characteristic fumes. Absence of
chloride.
4 Action of conc
H2SO4 and
paperball a)Reddish brown fumes are evolved. Presence of
A little of the salt is MNO3+H2SO4→MHSO4 +HNO3 nitrate.
strongly with 4HNO3 +C→2H2O+CO2+4NO2
conc.H2SO4 in a dry (Paper) brown
test tube and paperball b) No brown fumes. Absence of
ball is added. nitrate.
[Link] of BaCl2
solution. a) A white precipitate insoluble in dilute Presence of
To a little of the salt HCl is obtained. sulphate is
solution, BaCl2 MSO4+BaCl2→BaSO4+MCl2 identified.
solution is added. b) No white precipitate. Absence of
sulphate.

Confirmatory tests for Anions (Acid radicals)

[Link]
a)To a little of the salt
add Dil. HCl pass the Lime water turns milky Presence of
above gas through MCO3+2HCl→MCl2+CO2+H2O carbonate is
lime water. Ca(OH)2+CO2→CaCO3 +H2O confirmed.

b)To the salt solution A white precipitate soluble in dilute HCl is Presence of
add BaCl2 solution. obtained. carbonate is
confirmed.
MCO3 + BaCl2→BaCO3 +MCl2
BaCO3+2HCl→BaCl2+CO2 +H2O.

[Link] the salt solution Presence of

add MgSO4 solution. White precipitate. carbonate is
MCO3 +MgSO4→MgCO3+MSO4 confirmed.
 Presence of
[Link] the salt solution Awhite precipitate is obtained which dissolves carbonate is
add lead nitrate or lead in [Link]. confirmed.
acetate solution. MCO3 +Pb(NO3)2→PbCO3+M(NO3)2
PbCO3+ 2HCI →PbCl2+H2O +CO2
or
MCO3 +(CH3COO)2Pb→PbCO3
+(CH3COO)2M
PbCO3+2HCl→PbCl2+H2O +CO2
_
[Link](CH3COO) Presence of
[Link] a little of the salt acetate is
A deep red color is obtained.
solution add neutral confirmed.
FeCl3. 3CH3COOM+FeCl3→(CH3COO)3Fe+
3MCl
(CH3COO)3+2H2O→(CH3COO)(OH)2+
2CH3COOH
[Link] a little of the salt Presence of
add conc .H2SO4 and Pleasant fruity smell. acetate is
1ml ethyl alcohol. CH3COOM +H2SO4→CH3COOH +MHSO4 confirmed.
Heat and pour into CH3COOH+C2H5OH→CH3COOC2H5+H2O
excess water in a
beaker.
[Link] a small
quantity of the salt in a Presence of
watch glass. Mix it Smell of vinegar. acetate
with solid oxalic acid. COOH+2CH3COOM→COOM+2CH3COOH confirmed.
Prepare paste of it with COOH COOM
a few drops of
[Link] and smell.
[Link](Cl-)
[Link] a little of the White curdy precipitate soluble in Presence
salt solution a few excess NH4OH. of chloride
drop of MCl+AgNO3→AgCl+MNO3 confirmed.
dil.HNO3 and AgCl+2NH4OH→[Ag(NH3)2]Cl+2H2O
AgNO3 is added. soluble

b. A little of the salt Greenish Yellow gas with irritating

is heated with a small smell is evolved which turns starch Presence
amount of MnO2 and paper blue. of chloride
Conc.H2SO4 test 2MCl+H2SO4→M2SO4+2HCl is
tube . MnO2 +HCl→MnCl2 +H2O +Cl2 confirmed.

[Link] (NO3-)
a)To the salt solution
add freshly prepared Brown ring is formed at the Junction
FeSO4 solution and of two liquids.
Con.H2SO4 is added MNO3+H2SO4→MHSO4+HNO3 Presence
along das sites of the 6FeSO4 +3H2SO4 +2HNO3→ of nitrate is
test tube without 2Fe2(SO4)3 +4H2O +2NO confirmed
shaking
FeSO4 +NO +5H2O→[Fe(NO)(H2O)5]SO4
Brown ring

b)A small quantity of

salt is heated with
Dark brown fumes
conc.H2SO4 in a dry Presence
2MNO3 +H2SO4→M2SO4 +2HNO3
test tube and add a 4HNO3 +Cu→Cu(NO3)2+2NO2+ 2H2O
of nitrate
few copper chips Brown is
Brown
confirmed
[Link](SO42-)
[Link] the solution White precipitate insoluble in dilute Presence
BaCl2 solution is HCl is obtained. of sulphate
added. MSO4 +BaCl2→MCl2+BaSO4 confirmed

[Link] the salt solution White precipitate soluble in

add lead acetate. ammonium acetate solution. Presence
Solution M2SO4+(CH3COO)2Pb→PbSO4+2CH3COOM of sulphate
PbSO4 +2CH3COONH4→(NH4)2SO4+CH3COO)2Pb confirmed .

Analysis of Cations (Basic Radicals )

[Link] for group

zero (NH4 +)
To the salt solution a)No precipitate Presence
add Sodium 2NH4X+Na2CO3→2NaX+CO2 +NH3 of group
carbonate solution. zero
(NH4+)
b) A precipitate Absence of
[Link] for group 1 group zero
(Pb2+)
To the salt solution a)white precipitate
add [Link] PbX2 +2HCl →PbCl2 +2HX Presence
of group1.
b)No white precipitate Absence of
group1
[Link] for group II
(Cu2+) a)Black ppt Presence
To the salt solution CuX2+H2S→CuS+2HX of groupll
add [Link] and H2S. b) No ppt
[Link] for group III
(Al3+)
To the salt solution [Link] white precipitate. Presence
add solid NH4Cl and Al3++3NH4OH →Al(OH)3+3NH4+ of grouplll
excess NH4OH. Gelatinous white
[Link] gelatinous white precipitate. Absence of
grouplll
[Link] for group IV
(Zn2+,Mn2+,Co2+,Ni2+) a)Dirty white precipitate Presence
)
Zn2++H2S→ZnS + 2H+ of grouplll
To the salt solution (Zn2+)
(Dirty white)
add solid NH4Cl,
b)Flesh color precipitate
excess aNH4OH and 2+ +H S→MnS +2H+ Presence
H2S. Mn 2
(Flesh color) of groupIV
(Mn2+)
c) No color precipitate
Absence of
group IV

[Link] for group V

(Ba2+,Sr2+, Ca2+)
a)White precipitate
To the salt solution Presence
add solid NH4Cl, M2+ +(NH4)2CO3→MCO3 +2NH4+
of group V
excess NH4OH and (White)
(NH4)2CO3. (M2+can be Ba2+, Sr2+,Ca2+)
Absence of
b)No white precipitate
group V
[Link] for group VI
(Mg2+)
To the salt solution Presence
add solid a)White crystalline precipitate
of groupVl
NH4Cl,NH4OH and Mg +NH4OH+Na2HPO4→
2+

Mg(NH4)PO4 +2Na++H2O
[Link] the
inner sides of the b)No white crystalline precipitate. Absence of
test tube using a group VI
glass rod.

Confirmatory tests for Cations

[Link]
Zero(NH4+) Presence
To the salt solution Brown ppt of
add K2[HgI4]+NH3+KOH→ ammonium
Nessler’s reagent. [Link]+H2O Confirmed.
(Brown)
[Link] a little of the
salt Dense white fumes. Presence
solution, a small of
amount NaOH NH4Cl+NaOH→NaOH +H2O +NH3 ammonium
solution is added and NH3+HCl→NH4Cl ( white fumes) is
[Link] a glass confirmed.
rod in [Link] and
show it in to the
mouth of the test
tube.
[Link] 1 (Pb2+) A golden yellow precipitate which is
To the salt solution soluble in hot water and reappear as Presence
add acetic acid and golden spangles on cooling. of lead is
KI solution. confirmed.
PbCl2 +2KI→PbI2+2KCl
(Yellow)
[Link] the salt solution Presence
Yellow precipitate
add potassium of lead is
chromate solution. PbCl2 +K2CrO4→PbCrO4+2KCl confirmed.
(Yellow)
GroupIII (Al3+) The gelatinous white ppt from group3 is dissolved
in [Link] and divide into 2 portions.
[Link] the 1st part add White gelatinous ppt soluble in excess Presence
NaOH in excess and NaOH. of
add NH4CL and boil. Al(OH)3+NaOH→NaAlO2 +2H2O aluminum
NaAlO2+ +H2O+NH4Cl→ confirmed.
Al(OH)3+NaCl+NH3

[Link] the 2nd part add Blue gelatinous precipitate.

blue litmus solution Al(OH)3+3HCl→AlCl3 +3H2O Presence
and NH4OH. of Al3+ is
AlCl3+3NH4OH→3NH4Cl+Al(OH)3
[Link] test confirmed.
To a little of the salt
or salt solution add 2
Blue -tinted ash
drops of conc.HNO3 Presence
and Cobalt nitrate AlCl3+H2O→Al2O3 +HCl of Al3+ is
2Co(NO3)2+2Al2O3→2CoOAl2O3+4NO2 +O2
solution. [Link] a (Blue ash) confirmed.
filter paper into it
and burn to ash.
Group IV (Zn 2+)
[Link] the group 4 ppt White ppt soluble in excess NaOH
add [Link] and ZnS+2HCl→ZnCl2+H2S Presence
[Link] NaOH of zinc is
ZnCl2+2NaOH→Zn(OH)2+2NaCl
dropwise. confirmed.
[Link] test Zn(OH)2+2NaOH→Na2ZnO2+2H2O
To a little of the salt
or salt solution add 2
drops of conc.HNO3 Green ash Presence
and Cobalt nitrate ZnCl2+H2O→ZnO+2HCI of zinc is
solution. [Link] a ZnO+Co(NO3)2→[Link]+NO2+O2 confirmed.
filter paper into it (Green ash)
and burn to ash.
Group V
The group V ppt is dissolved in [Link] acid and divide
into 3 parts.

[Link]( Ba2+ )
a. To the 1st part add Yellow ppt Presence
potassium chromate BaCO3+2CH3COOH→CO2+H2O+(CH3COO)2Ba of Barium
solution. a is
(CH3COO)2Ba+K2CrO4→BaCrO4+2CH3COO
confirmed.

[Link] test Pale green flame

Salt is made into a Presence
paste with Conc HCl of Barium
and shown into the is
flame. confirmed
[Link] (Sr2+)
[Link] the 2nd part add White ppt
ammonium sulphate SrCO3 +2CH3COOH→ Presence
solution. (CH3COO)2Sr+CO2 +2H2O of
Strontium
is
(CH3COO)2Sr+(NH4)2SO4→
confirmed.
SrSO4 +2CH3COONH4
(White)
[Link] test
Salt is made into a Presence
Crimson red flame
paste with Conc HCl of Sr2+ is
and shown into the confirmed.
flame.
[Link] ( Ca2+ )
a. To the 3rd part add Presence
White ppt
ammonium oxalate CaCO3 +2CH3COOH→(CH3COO)2Ca+CO2 of Calcium
solution. +2H2O is
confirmed.
 (CH3COO)2Ca+(NH4)2C2O4→
2CH3COONH4 +CaC2O4(White)

[Link] test Presence

Salt is made into a Brick red flame. of Calcium
paste with Conc HCl is
and shown into the confirmed.
flame.
[Link] VI ( Mg 2+ )
a. To a little of the Presence
salt add NH4CL, White ppt of Mg2+ is
excess NH4OH and confirmed.
ammonium MgCl2 +NH4OH +(NH4)2HPO4→
phosphate solution. Mg(NH4)PO4 +2NH4Cl+H2O
The inner side of the
test tube is scratched
with a glass rod.
[Link] the salt solution Presence
add magneson Sky blue ppt of is Mg2+
reagent and excess confirmed.
NaOH
[Link] test
To a little of the salt Presence
or salt solution add 2 Pink ash of
drops of conc.HNO3 MgCl2 +H2O→MgO+2HCI Magnesiu
and Cobalt nitrate Mg+Co(NO3)2→CoOMgO+NO2 +O2 m is
solution. [Link] a (Pink ash) confirmed.
filter paper into it
and burn to ash.