Systematic Qualitative Inorganic salt Analysis

Preliminary tests
Experiment Observation Inference
1. Physical examination:
a) Physical state Crystalline ----------
Amorphous (soft to touch) ----------
b) Colour Blue May be Cupric (Cu+2) salt
Dark brown May be Ferric (Fe+3) salt
Greenish May be Nickel (Ni+2) salt
Light Pink or Buff colour May be Manganese(II)
(Mn+2) salt
Colourless Cu+2, Ni+2,Fe+3 and Mn+2
ions are absent
c) Odour Ammonia odour May be Ammonium (NH4+)
salt
Vinegar odour May be Acetate (CH3COO-)
salt
Rotten eggs like odour May be Sulphide (S2-) salt.

d) Solubility Cold water When the salt is soluble in

2. Dry test:
Take a small quantity of
given salt in a cleaned dry
test tube and heat gently
first then strongly on
Bunsen flame
3. Flame test:
Take a small amount of
given salt in a watch glass
and add 1 or 2 drops of
Conc.HCl and make it as
paste. A small amount of
paste introduce into
oxidizing flame(Bunsen
flame) with the help of
glass rod
Hot water
Cold dil.HCl
Hot dil.HCl
a) Colourless gas is evolved
which turns lime water
milky.
b) Colourless gas with rotten
eggs odour is evolved.
c) White sublimate is formed.
d) Reddish brown gas with
pungent odour is evolved.
e) Reddish brown gas with
crackling sound
a) Blue or Bluish green flame.
b) Green flashes flame.
c) Brick red flame.
d) Apple green flame.
e) Crimson red flame.
a certain solvent,
subsequent solvents are not
taken.
May be Carbonate (CO32-)
salt or Bicarbonate (HCO3-)
salt.
May be Sulphide (S2-) salt.
May be Ammonium (NH4+)
salt.
May be Nitrate (NO3-) or
Bromide (Br -) salt.
May be Pb(NO3)2 salt
May be Copper (Cu2+) salt.
May be Zinc (Zn+2) salt.
May be Calcium (Ca2+) salt.
May be Barium (Ba2+) salt.
May be Strontium (Sr2+) salt.
 Identification tests for Acid radicals (Anions)
Experiment Observation Inference
1. Test with dil.HCl: a) Colourless and odourless gas May be Carbonate (CO32-) ion
Take a small (CO2) is evolved with brisk is present.
quantity of the salt in effervescence which turns lime
a test tube and add water milky.
dil.HCl. CO32- + HCl → H2O + CO2↑ + Cl-
b) Colourless vapours with May be Acetate (CH3COO-)
vinegar smell are evolved ion is present.
which turns blue litmus red.
CH3COO - + HCl → CH3COOH + Cl -
c) No characteristic reaction Carbonate (CO32-) and Acetate
(CH3COO-) ions are absent.
2. Test with a) Colourless gas with pungent May be Chloride (Cl-) ion is
Conc.H2SO4: smell (HCl) is evolved which present.
Take a small fumes in moist air.
quantity of salt in a Cl- + H2SO4 → 2HCl ↑+ SO42-
test tube and add White dense fumes produced
conc. H2SO4 drop when a glass rod dipped in
wise. NH4OH is placed at the mouth
of the test tube.
HCl(g) + NH3 → NH4Cl(g)
b) Reddish brown vapours with May be Bromide (Br-) ion is
pungent smell (Br2) are evolved present.
which turns starch paper
yellow.
Br - + H2SO4 → HSO4- + HBr
2HBr + H2SO4 → SO2↑ + Br2 ↑ + 2H2O
-
c) Violet vapours (I2) are evolved May be Iodode (I ) ion is
which turns starch paper blue. present.
I - + H2SO4 → HSO4- + HI
2HI + H2SO4 → SO2↑ + I2 ↑ + 2H2O
-
d) Reddish brown vapours (NO2) May be Nitrate (NO3 ) ion is
Heat the above solution. are evolved. present.
NO3 - + H2SO4 → HSO4- + HNO3
4HNO3 → NO2↑ + O2 ↑ + 2H2O
e) No characteristic reaction. Chloride (Cl-), Bromide (Br-),
Iodide (I-), and Nitrate (NO3-)
ions are absent.
3. Test for sulphate White crystalline precipitate of May be Sulphate (SO42-) ion is
(SO42-) ion: BaSO4 is formed. present.
To the salt solution SO42- + BaCl2 → BaSO4↓ + Cl-
add BaCl2 solution.
The solubility of the The precipitate is insoluble in Sulphate (SO42-) ion is
precipitate is tested Con.HCl. confirmed.
in Conc.HCl.
No Characteristic reaction. Sulphate (SO42-) ion is absent.

Confirmation tests for Acidic radicals (Anions)

Experiment Observation Inference
1. Test for Carbonate: White precipitate (BaCO3) is Carbonate (CO32-) ion
Take a small quantity of the salt formed. is confirmed.
solution in a test tube and add
CO32- + BaCl2 → BaCO3 + 2Cl-
BaCl2 solution.
The solubility of the precipitate is The precipitate is soluble in Carbonate (CO32-) ion
tested in dil.HCl. dil.HCl. is confirmed.
BaCO3 + HCl → BaCl2 + H2O + CO2↑
2. Test for Acetate: Characteristic vinegar smell is Acetate (CH3COO-)
a) Test with Oxalic acid: observed. ion is confirmed.
Take a small quantity of salt in a
watch glass and mix with solid
oxalic acid, paste the mixture with CH3COO - + H2C2O4 → C2O4 2- + CH3COOH
few drops of water and rub the
paste and observe the smell. Acetate (CH3COO-)
b) Teat with neutral FeCl3: Deep red filtrate is formed. ion is confirmed.
Take a small quantity of the salt CH3COO + FeCl3 → (CH3COO)3Fe + Cl -
-
in test tube, add neutral FeCl3
solution and filter. Brown-red precipitate is
To the filtrate add water and boil. formed.
(CH3COO)3Fe + H2O → (CH3COO)(OH)2Fe↓ + 2CH3COOH
3. Test for Chloride: Greenish yellow gas (Cl2) with Chloride (Cl-) ion is
a) Test with solid MnO2: pungent irritating smell is confirmed.
Take a small quantity of the salt evolved which turns moist
in a test tube then add a pinch of starch-iodide paper blue.
solid MnO2 and a few drops of
2Cl - +MnO2 +2H2SO4 → 2HSO4- +MnSO4 +H2O + Cl2↑
Conc.H2SO4 and then heat.
b) Test with AgNO3 solution:
Curdy white precipitate Chloride (Cl-) ion is
Take a small quantity of salt
(AgCl) is formed which is confirmed.
solution in a test tube and add a
soluble in NH4OH.
few drops of AgNO3 solution. -
Cl + AgNO3 → AgCl↓ + NO3-
AgCl + 2NH4OH → [Ag(NH3)2Cl] + 2H2O
4. Test for Bromide:
a) Test with solid MnO2: Reddish brown gas (Br2) with Bromide (Br-) ion is
Take a small quantity of solid salt pungent smell is evolved confirmed.
in a test tube then add a pinch of which turns starch paper
solid MnO2 and a few drops of yellow.
Conc.H2SO4 and then heat. 2Br -+MnO2 +2H2SO4 → 2HSO4- +MnSO4 +H2O + Br2↑
b) Test with AgNO3 solution:
Take a small quantity of salt
Pale yellow precipitate (AgBr) Bromide (Br-) ion is
solution in a test tube and add a is formed which is partially confirmed.
few drops of AgNO3 solution. soluble in NH4OH.

Br - + AgNO3 → AgBr↓ + NO3-

AgBr + 2NH4OH → [Ag(NH3)2Br] + 2H2O
5. Test for Iodide: Violet vapours (I2) are evolved Iodide (I-) ion is
a) Test with solid MnO2: which turns starch paper blue. confirmed.
Take a small quantity of solid salt
in a test tube then add a pinch of 2I -+MnO2 +2H2SO4 → 2HSO4- +MnSO4 +H2O + I2↑
solid MnO2 and a few drops of
Conc.H2SO4 and then heat.
b) Test with AgNO3 solution:
Yellow precipitate (AgI) is Iodide (I-) ion is
Take a small quantity of the salt
formed which is insoluble in confirmed.
solution in a test tube and add a
NH4OH.
few drops of AgNO3 solution.
I - + AgNO3 → AgI↓ + NO3-

6. Test for Nitrate:

a) Test with Copper turnings:
Take a small quantity of the solid
salt in test tube and add a few
pieces of copper turnings and a
few drops of conc.H2SO4 and
heat.
b) Brown ring test:
Take a small quantity of the salt
solution in a test tube and add
freshly prepared ferrous sulphate
solution in excess. To this,
conc.H2SO4 is added slowly
along the sides of the test tube
keeping the test tube in an
inclined position.
Reddish brown vapours of Nitrate (NO3-) ion is
NO2 are evolved vigorously confirmed.
and the solution in the test
tube becomes blue due to the
formation of copper sulphate.
NO3- + H2SO4 → SO4 2- + 2 HNO3
Cu2+ + 4HNO3 → Cu(NO3)2 + 2NO2↑ + 2H2O
A dark brown ring Nitrate (NO3-) ion is
(Fe[(NO)H2O]SO4) is formed confirmed.
at the junction of the two
layers
NO3- + H2SO4 → SO4 2- + 2HNO3
6FeSO4 + 3H2SO4 + 2HNO3 →3Fe2(SO4)3 + 2NO+ 4H2O
FeSO4 + NO + 5H2O → Fe[(NO)H2O]SO4
 Confirmation tests for Basic radicals (Cations)
Group – I Cations
Experiment Observation Inference
Test for Pb2+ ion: An yellow precipitate (Lead Pb2+ ion is confirmed.
a. Test with K2CrO4: Chromate) is formed which is
Take a small quantity of the soluble hot NaOH and
original salt solution in a test insoluble in NH4OH.
tube and few drops of Pb2+ + K2CrO4 → PbCrO4↓ + 2K+
Potassium chromate (K2CrO4)
solution. An yellow precipitate (Lead Pb2+ ion is confirmed.
b. Test with KI solution: iodide) is formed which is
Take a small quantity of the soluble in hot water. On
original salt solution in a test cooling the colourless solution
tube and add a few drops of ‘Golden yellow’ spangles of
Potassium iodide (KI) Lead iodide separates.
solution. Pb2+ + KI → PbI2↓ + 2K+
Group – II Cations
Experiment Observation Inference
Test for Cu2+ ion:
1. Test with K4[Fe(CN)6] A chocolate brown precipitate Cu2+ ion is confirmed.
solution: of cupric ferrocyanide
Take a small quantity of the (Cu2[Fe(CN)6]) is formed which
original salt solution in a test is soluble in dil.HCl.
tube and add a few drops of 2Cu2+ + K4[Fe(CN)6] → Cu2[Fe(CN)6]↓ + 4K+
Potassium ferrocyanide
(K4[Fe(CN)6]) solution. A greenish blue precipitate is Cu2+ ion is confirmed.
2. Test with NH4OH: formed which is soluble in
Take a small quantity of the excess of NH4OH and turns to
original salt solution in a test deep blue colour ([Cu(NH3)4]+2)
tube and add a few drops of solution.
Ammonium Hydroxide
(NH4OH) solution. 2Cu2+ + NH4OH → [Cu(NH3)4]2+
Group – III Cations
Experiment Observation Inference
1. Test for Aluminium
(Al3+) ion:
a. Test with NH4OH: A white gelatinous precipitate of Al3+ ion is confirmed.
Take a small quantity of Aluminum Hydroxide (Al(OH)3)
the original salt solution is formed which is soluble in
in a test tube and saturate NaOH.
with NH4Cl and add Al3+ + 3NH4OH (excess) → Al(OH)3 ↓+ 3NH4+
NH4OH solution in
excess. Al(OH)3 + NaOH → NaAlO2 + 2H2O
b. Test with Na2CO3:
Take a small quantity of
the original salt solution
in a test tube and add a
few drops of Sodium
carbonate (Na2CO3)
solution.
2. Test for Ferric (Fe3+)
ion:
a. Test with NH4OH:
Take a small quantity of
the original salt solution
in a test tube and saturate
with NH4Cl and add
NH4OH solution in
excess.
b. Test with K4[Fe(CN)6]
solution:
Take a small quantity of
the original salt solution
in the test tube and add
Potassium ferrocyanide
(K4[Fe(CN)6]) solution.
Group – IV Cations
Experiment
1. Test for Zn2+ ion:
a. Test with NaOH:
Take a small quantity of
the original solution in a
test tube and add NaOH
solution.
b. Test with K4[Fe(CN)6]:
Take a small quantity of
the salt solution in the
test tube and add
Potassium ferrocyanide
(K4[Fe(CN)6]) solution.
A white precipitate of Al3+ ion is confirmed.
Aluminium carbonate
(Al2(CO3)3) is formed which is
soluble in excess of Na2CO3
solution.
2Al3+ + 3Na2CO3 → Al2(CO3)3 ↓+ 6Na+
Al2(CO3)3 + Na2CO3 → 2NaAlO2 + 4CO2↑
A Reddish brown precipitate of Fe3+ ion is confirmed.
Ferric hydroxide (Fe(OH)3) is
formed which is soluble in
NaOH.
Fe3+ + 3NH4OH (excess) → Fe(OH)3 ↓+ 3NH4+
Fe(OH)3 + 3NaOH → Na3[Fe(OH)6]
A light blue colour (Prussian
Fe3+ ion is confirmed.
blue) solution of Ferric
ferrocyanide (Fe4[Fe(CN)6]3) is
formed.
Fe3+ + K4[Fe(CN)6] → Fe4[Fe(CN)6]3 ↓
Observation Inference
A white precipitate (Zn(OH)2) is
formed which is soluble in excess of Zn2+ ion is Confirmed.
NaOH.
Zn2+ + 2NaOH → Zn(OH)2 ↓ + 2 Na+
NaOH + Zn(OH)2 → Na2ZnO2 + 2H2O
A grey white precipitate of Zinc
potassium ferro cyanide Zn2+ ion is Confirmed.
(Zn3K2[Fe(CN)6]) is formed which
is soluble in NaOH solution.
3Zn2+ + K4[Fe(CN)6] → Zn3K2 [Fe(CN)6] ↓+ 2K+
2. Test for Mn2+ ion:
a. Test with NaOH:
Take a small quantity of A white precipitate (Mn(OH)2) is
the original solution in a formed which changes to brown on Mn2+ ion is Confirmed.
test tube and add NaOH exposure to air and it is insoluble in
solution. excess of NaOH solution.
Mn2+ + 2NaOH → Mn(OH)2 ↓ + 2 Na+
Mn(OH)2 + (O) → MnO.(OH)2 (Brown colour)
b. Test with Na2HPO4:
Take a small quantity of
the original salt solution A white precipitate (Mn3(PO4)2) is
in a test tube and add formed which is soluble in dilute Mn2+ ion is Confirmed.
disodium hydrogen acetic acid.
phosphate solution. 3Mn2+ + 4Na2HPO4 → Mn3(PO4)2↓+ 2NaH2PO4 + 6Na+
3. Test for Ni2+ ion:
a. Test with NaOH:
Take a small quantity of
the original salt solution A green gelatinous precipitate of Ni2+ ion is confirmed.
in a test tube and add Nickel hydroxide (Ni(OH)2)is
NaOH solution. formed which is insoluble in excess
of the reagent.
b. Test with dimethyl Ni2+ +2NaOH → Ni(OH)2 ↓ + 2 Na+
glyoxime:
Take a small quantity of
salt solution in a test tube A bright red colour precipitate is Ni2+ ion is confirmed.
and add NH4OH and a formed.
few drops of dimethyl
glyoxime
((CH3CNOH)2) solution.

Group – V Cations
Experiment Observation Inference
2+
1. Test for Ba ion:
a. Test with K2CrO4:
Take a small quantity of salt
solution in a test tube and An yellow precipitate
add potassium chromate (BaCrO4) is formed which is Ba2+ ion is confirmed.
(K2CrO4) solution. soluble in dil.HCl.
Ba2+ + K2CrO4 → BaCrO4↓ + 2K+
b. Test with (NH4)2C2O4:
Take a small quantity of salt
solution in a test tube and
add ammonium oxalate
((NH4)2C2O4) solution.
2. Test for Ca2+ ion:
a. Test with K4[Fe(CN)6]:
Take a small quantity of salt
solution in a test tube and
saturate with NH4Cl and
NH4OH and add potassium
ferro cyanide solution.
b. Test with (NH4)2C2O4:
Take a small quantity of salt
solution in a test tube and
add ammonium oxalate
((NH4)2C2O4) solution.
3. Test for Sr2+ ion:
a. Test with (NH4)2SO4:
Take a small quantity of salt
solution in a test tube and
add ammonium sulphate
solution.
b. Test with (NH4)2CO3:
Take a small quantity of salt
solution in a test tube and
saturate with NH4Cl and
then add (NH4)2CO3
solution.
Group – VI Cations
Experiment
Test for Mg2+ ion:
a. Test with NaOH:
Take a small quantity of
salt solution in a test tube
and add NaOH solution.
A white precipitate (Ba(C2O4))
is formed which is soluble in Ba2+ ion is confirmed.
hot acetic acid and in mineral
acids.
Ba2+ + (NH4)2C2O4 → BaC2O4↓ + 2NH4+
An white precipitate of calcium Ca2+ ion is confirmed.
ammonium ferro cyanide
(Ca(NH4)2[Fe(CN)6] is formed
which is soluble in dilute acids.
Ca2+ +NH4OH +K4[Fe(CN)6] → Ca(NH4)2[Fe(CN)6]↓
A white precipitate (Ca(C2O4))
is formed which is soluble in Ca2+ ion is confirmed.
hot acetic acid and in mineral
acids.
Ca2+ + (NH4)2C2O4 → CaC2O4↓ + 2NH4+
A white precipitate of
Strontium sulphate is formed Sr2+ ion is confirmed.
which is soluble in mineral
acids.
Sr2+ + (NH4)2SO4 → SrSO4↓ + 2NH4+
A white Precipitate of Sr2+ ion is confirmed.
Strontium carbonate is formed
which is soluble in hot acetic
acid.
Sr2+ + (NH4)2CO3 → SrCO3↓ + 2NH4+
SrCO3 + 2 CH3COOH → (CH3COO)2Sr + CO2↑ +H2O
Observation Inference
A white precipitate of Mg2+ ion is confirmed.
magnesium hydroxide is formed
which is insoluble in excess of
reagent.
Mg2+ +2NaOH → Mg(OH)2 ↓ + 2 Na+
b. Test with Na2HPO4:
Take a small quantity of
salt solution in a test tube
and saturate it with solid
NH4Cl and add NH4OH
and disodium hydrogen
phosphate solution. The
side of the test tube is
scratched with glass rod.
Group Zero Cation (Ammonium (NH4+) ion)
Experiment
a. Test with NaOH:
Take a small quantity of
salt in a dry test tube add
NaOH solution and heat.
b. Test with Nessler’s
reagent:
Take a small quantity of
salt solution and add
Nessler’s reagent
(K2[HgI4]) is added.
A white crystalline precipitate of
magnesium ammonium Mg2+ ion is confirmed.
phosphate is formed which is
soluble in mineral acids and
acetic acids.
Mg2+ + NH4OH+ Na2HPO4 → Mg(NH4)PO4 ↓ +2Na+ +H2O
Observation Inference
Colourless gas (NH3) with
pungent smell is evolved, which May be NH4+ ion is
produces dense white fumes with present.
a glass rod dipped in Conc.HCl.
NH4+ + NaOH → NH3↑ + Na+ + H2O
NH3 + HCl → NH4Cl (g)
A reddish brown precipitate or
colouration is obtained which is NH4+ ion is confirmed.
called “Iodide of Millon’s base”.
NH4+ + 2K2[HgI4] → H2N. HgO.HgI↓ + 7KI + 2H2O

c. Test with Picric acid:

Take a small quantity of An yellow precipitate of NH4+ ion is confirmed.
salt solution and add Picric Ammonium picrate is formed.
acid (2,4,6-Trinitro Phenol)
and scratch the inner sides NH4+ + C6H2(NO2)3OH → C6H2(NO2)3ONH4↓
of the test tube with a glass
rod.
Chemical equations for group separation table:
Group Cations Group reagent Chemical equation Observation
Group – I 2+ Dil.HCl 2+ White
Pb Pb + HCl → PbCl2↓
Precipitate
Group – II Cu2+ Dil.HCl + Na2S Cu2+ + Na2S → CuS ↓ Black
Precipitate
Group – III Al3+ NH4Cl + NH4OH Al3+ + NH4OH → Al(OH)3↓ White
gelatinous
Precipitate
Fe3+ Fe3+ + NH4OH → Fe(OH)3↓ Brown
Precipitate
Zn2+ NH4Cl + NH4OH Zn2+ + Na2S → ZnS↓ White
Group – IV + Na2S precipitate
Mn2+ Mn2+ + Na2S → MnS↓ Flesh colour
Precipitate
Ni2+ Ni2+ + Na2S → NiS↓ Black colur
precipitate
Group – V Ba2+ NH4Cl + NH4OH Ba2+ + (NH4)2CO3 → BaCO3↓ White colour
Ca2+ + (NH4)2CO3 Ca2+ + (NH4)2CO3 → CaCO3↓ Precipitate
Sr2+ Sr2+ + (NH4)2CO3 → SrCO3↓
Group – VI Mg2+ No specific - -
reagent