SYSTEMATIC ANALYSIS OF SIMPLE SALTS
PRELIMINARY TESTS
No. Experiment Observation Inference
1. Color of the salt Colorless( white) Absence of Cu2+, Ni2+,Co2+,
Fe3+, Mn2+etc
2. Smell of the salt a) Ammoniacal smell a) May be NH4+
b) Vinegar smell b) May be CH3COO-
3. Flame test :-prepare a paste of salt with a) pale green/ Grassy green a) presence of Ba2+
concHCland shown to a non -luminous b) brick red b) presence of Ca2+
flame c) crimson red c) presence of Sr2+
4. Ash test:- To a little of the salt add a) Blue tinted ashes a) presence of Al3+ ions
two drops of conc. HNO3 and little of b) Green tinted ashes b) presence ofZnl2+ ions
cobaltnitrate solution .It is boiled and c) Pink tinted ashes c) presence of Mg2+ ions
a filter paper dipped in it is burnt to
ashes.
ANALYSIS OF ACID RADICALS (ANIONS)
IDENTIFICATION TESTS
2-
1.a A brisk effervescence of colourless,
A little of the salt is added to dil. HCl odourless gas is evolved which turns Presence of carbonate (CO3
taken in a test tube. lime water milky. [Absence of carbonate]
[No characteristic reaction]
1b Dilute H2SO4test to little salt add A brisk effervescence Carbonate may present
dilute H2SO4 Colourless gas with rotten egg smell Sulphide may present
Sulphite may present
Colourless gas with burning rubber Nitrite may present
smell ]
Brown Vapours
2. A little of the salt is rubbed with Dil.
H2SO4 in a watch glass and the smell Smell of vinegar Presence of acetate
is noted. (CH3COO-)
3. Conc. H2SO4 A colourless gas fuming in moist air is
A little of the salt is treated with conc. evolved. Dense white fumes are
H2SO4 taken in a test tube. formed when a glass rod dipped in Presence of chloride (Cl-)
ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH) is
shown at the mouth ofthe
test tube.
4. A little of the salt is heated Reddish brown vapors are evolved.
-
withConc. H2SO4 and a paper ball is Presence of nitrate (NO3 )
added to it.
5. Independent Group A white precipitate insoluble in Presence of sulphate
To alittle of the salt solution add BaCl2 excess of dil. HCl.
(SO42-)
solution.
CONFIRMATORY TESTS FOR ANIONS
1. 2- A white precipitate is formed which is
Carbonate (CO ): A little of the salt Presence of carbonate
3 soluble in dil. HCl withthe evolution of
solution is treated with BaCl2 solution. confirmed.
CO2.
2. Acetate (CH3COO-): To a little of the salt
Presence of acetate
solution a few drops of neutral ferric A reddish brown coloration
confirmed.
chloride (FeCl3) is added.
3. Chloride (Cl-): A little of the salt solution
A white precipitate readily soluble in Presence of chloride
is acidified with dil. Nitric acid
NH4OH is formed confirmed.
(HNO3)andSilver nitrate (AgNO3)
solution is added.
-
4. Nitrate (NO3 )[ Brown ring test]: To a
little
of the salt solution freshly prepared A brown ring is formed at the junction
Presence of nitrate
Ferrous sulphate (FeSO4) solution is of the two liquids.
confirmed.
added and mixed well. A few drops of
Conc. H2SO4 is added through the sides
of the testtube.
2-
5. Sulphate (SO4 ): Acetic acid and lead A white precipitate soluble inammonium Presence of sulphate
acetate are added to the salt solution. acetate is formed. confirmed.
ANALYSIS OF BASIC RADICALS (CATIONS)
1. A little of the salt solution is treated No precipitate Presence of zero group cation
with sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) (NH4+).
solution.
2. To a little of the salt solution add dil. Presence of Group I cation
White precipitate.
HCl (Pb2+).
3. To a little of the salt solution add dil. Presence of Group II cation
Black precipitate.
HCland then pass hydrogen sulphide (Cu2+).
(H2S) gas.
4. To a little of the salt solution
Presence of Group III cation
addammonium chloride (NH4Cl) and White gelatinous precipitate
(Al3+).
ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH)
solutions.
5. To a little of the salt solution add NH4Cl Presence of Group IV cation
White precipitate.
andNH4OH solutions and then pass H2S (Zn2+).
gas.
6. To a little of the salt solution add NH4Cl, Presence of Group V cations
NH4OH and ammonium carbonate (Ba2+& Ca2+).
White precipitate.
[(NH4)2CO3] solutions.
7. To a little of the salt solution add NH4Cl, Presence of Group VI cation
NH4OH and disodium hydrogen White crystalline precipitate. (Mg2+).
phosphate
(Na2HPO4).
+
ANALYSIS OF ZERO GROUP (NH4 )
1. A colourless pungent smelling gas is
evolved. Dense white fumes are +
formed when a glass rod dipped in Presence of ammonium (NH 4)
Conc. HCl is
shown into it.
2. A reddish brown precipitate is Presence of ammonium
formed. Confirmed.
ANALYSIS OF GROUP I (Pb2+)
1. To a little of the salt solution add A golden yellow precipitate is formed
potassium iodide (KI) solution. which is soluble in hot water and
Presence of lead (Pb2+)
crystallised asgolden spangles on
cooling.
2. To a little of the salt solution add dil.
Acetic acid (CH3COOH) and potassium Yellow precipitate is formed. Presence of lead confirmed.
chromate(K2CrO4).
ANALYSIS OF GROUP III (Al3+)
1. A little of the salt solution is treated with A white gelatinous precipitate
Presence of Aluminium (Al3+)
NaOH solution. soluble in excess NaOH
2. Ash Test: A little of the salt is boiled with 1
mL each of Conc. HNO 3 and cobalt nitrate Presence of aluminium
Blue ash
[Co(NO3)2] solution. A filter paper dipped in confirmed.
this solution is dried and burnt.
ANALYSIS OF GROUP IV (Zn2+)
1. To a little of the salt solution NaOH isadded A white ppt soluble in excess
Presence of Zinc (Zn2+)
drop wise. NaOH
2. Ash Test: A little of the salt is boiled with 1
mL each of Conc. HNO 3 and cobalt nitrate Presence of Zinc (Zn2+)
Green ash
[Co(NO3)2] solution. A filter paper dipped in confirmed.
this solution is dried and burnt.
ANALYSIS OF GROUP V (Ba2+& Ca2+)
1. To the salt solution dil. Acetic acid
An yellow ppt Presence of Barium(Ba2+)
(CH3COOH) and potassium chromate
[An yellow colouration] [Presence of Calcium (Ca2+)]
(K2CrO4) solutions are added.
2. Flame Test: A little of the salt is made into Grassy Green colour Presence of Ba2+ confirmed.
a paste with Conc. HCl and shown into a
non-luminous flame. [Brick red colour] [Presence of Ca2+ confirmed.]
ANALYSIS OF GROUP VI (Mg2+)
1. To a little of the salt solution Magneson Lake blue ppt which is soluble Presence of Magnesium
reagent is added. in excess of NaOH to formdeep (Mg2+)
blue solution.
2. Ash Test A little of the salt is boiled with 1
Presence of Magnesium
mL each of Conc. HNO 3 and cobalt nitrate
Pink ash (Mg2+) confirmed.
[Co(NO3)2] solution. A filter paper dipped in
this solution is dried and burnt..
