Exercise 17

QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS OF ANIONS

I. Objectives
1. I must learn to characterize different anions by applying the principles of chemical
equilibrium.
2. I must learn to identify the type of chemical equilibrium (eg. solubility, oxidation-reduction,
acid-base, complex formation) involved in the analysis.

II. Modifications in the Procedure:

(!) PRECAUTIONS:

WARNING:

WASTE MANAGEMENT:

III. Results:

Ions present in solution: ___________________________

___________________________
___________________________

Reactions with AgNO3 (on fresh samples)

Reagent Anion Net Ionic Equation Observations
I-
Br-

S2O32-

0.1M AgNO3
S2-
Cl-
SCN-
CO32-
C2O42-
PO43-
 SO42-,
SO32-,
NO3-,
NO2-

Reaction with HNO3 after adding AgNO3

Reagent Anion Net Ionic Equation Observations

CO32-

C2O42-

2M HNO3

PO43-

I-, Br-,
S2O32-,
S2-, Cl-,
SO42-,
SO32-,
NO3-,
NO2-

Reaction with FeCl3 (on fresh samples)

Reagent Anion Net Ionic Equation Observations
I-
NO2-
S2O32-

0.1M FeCl3 S2-

SCN-
CO32-
C2O42-

PO43-
SO42-,
SO32-,
 NO3-

Reaction with BaCl2 plus HNO3 (on fresh samples)

Reagent Anion Net Ionic Equation Observations

NO3-
NO2-
0.1M BaCl2
2M HNO3
SO42-,
SO32-

Reaction with FeSO4 (on fresh samples)

Reagent Anion Net Ionic Equation Observations
NO3-
0.1M FeSO4
NO2-

Reaction with conc’d H2SO4 (for anions that reacted with FeSO4)
Reagent Anion Net Ionic Equation Observations

Concentrated
NO2-
H2SO4

IV. Answers to Questions

1. Identify all the disproportionation reactions in the analysis and indicate the oxidation states of the
species concerned.

2. Which among the silver precipitates were dissolved upon addition of nitric acid? Briefly rationalize for
the observed dissolution by referring to the ionization constants given and write the chemical reactions
involved.
3. Can sulfate and sulfite be distinguished from each other? Why or why not?