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Identifying Cations
litmus stays
red
Na+
no precipitate
NH4+, Na+
litmus goes
blue NH4+
Al(OH)3 + OH [Al(OH)4]
2Zn(OH)2 + 2OH [Zn(OH)4]
2Pb(OH)2 + 2OH [Pb(OH)4]
-
add excess
NaOH solution
precipitate disappears
Al3+, Zn2+, Pb2+
new sample
precipitate remains
Mg2+, Ba2+
new sample
white precipitate forms
and disappears, Zn2+
Zn + 2OH Zn(OH)2
2+
2+
Zn + 4NH3 [Zn(NH3)4]
2+
colourless solution
Mg2+
white precipitate
Ba2+
2+
2-
Ba + SO4
BaSO4
new sample
colourless solution
Al3+
white precipitate
Pb2+
Pb + SO4 PbSO4
2+
new
sample
add 2 drops
KSCN solution
Fe + 3OH Fe(OH)3
3+
new
sample
Cu + 2OH Cu(OH)2
2+
2-
new
sample
brown precipitate
then colourless
solution Ag+
Identifying Anions
no bubbles
OH
white precipitate
SO42
2+
2-
Ba + SO4
BaSO4
no precipitate
new sample
precipitate disappears
Cl
add AgNO3
solution
precipitate
Cl, I
Ag + Cl AgCl
+
Ag + I AgI
+
no precipitate
NO3
Ag + 2NH3 [Ag(NH3)2]
+
precipitate remains
I
Formation of precipitates with either 2 drops of NaOH (or 2 drops of ammonia solution) (*)
Metal ion + hydroxide ion metal hydroxide precipitate
Al3+ + 3OH- Al(OH)3 (*)
2+
+ 4NH3 [Cu(NH3)4]
2+
Or write as [FeSCN]2+
Ag+ + I- AgI
HINT BOX
Write the equations for formation of
precipitates backwards
Product
Reactants
Balance it
Eg
Pb(OH)2
Pb2+ + OH- Pb(OH)2
Pb2+ + 2OH- Pb(OH)2
Write the equations for formation of
the complexes backwards
Product
Reactants
Balance it
Eg
[Cu(NH3)4]2+
Cu2+ + NH3 [Cu(NH3)4]2+
Cu2+ + 4NH3 [Cu(NH3)4]2+