TEST FOR BARIUM ION

ppt: BaCO3, SrCO3, CaCO3

1. To the precipitate add 6 M HOAc dropwise until the solid is just dissolved, or until 10 drops of the
HOAc solution have been added.
2. Then add a number of drops of 3 M NH4Ac equal to the number of drops of HOAc used in
dissolving the precipitate.
3. Dilute the solution to 2 ml with water.
4. Centrifuge.
5. Discard the solid and save the supernatant liquid.
6. Heat the solution to boiling and add one drop of 1 M K 2CrO4
(If no precipitate forms barium is absent and the solution is treated by B-2.)
(If a precipitate forms, heat again and add a second drop of 1 M K 2CrO4. Centrifuge.)
7. Before decanting the supernatant liquid observe to see that it is yellow.
(If the solution is colorless, heat to boiling, add a third drop of 1 M K 2CrO4. Centrifuge.)
8. When the supernatant liquid is yellow decant it and heat it by B-2.
9. Wash the precipitate with two 1 ml portions of water and discard the washings.

ppt: BaCrO4 Sol’n: Sr2+, Ca2+

10. To confirm the presence of barium, dissolve the yellow precipitate in 1
ml of 6M HCI.

Ba2+
11. Apply the flame test (Yellow-green Flame)

12. To the remaining solution add two drops of 6 M H 2SO4.

13. A white precipitate confirms barium Ion.
(If the color of the solution makes the precipitate appear yellow,
centrifuge and discard the supernatant liquid.)
14. Wash the precipitate with 1 ml of water.
15. Centrifuge again to as certain whether the precipitate is
white.

BaSO4