METHODS OF

ANALYSIS
(QUALITATIVE)

UNIT II
METHODS OF ANALYSIS (QUALITATIVE)

A. Precipitation
- is the process of conversion of a chemical substance into a solid from a solution
by converting the substance into an insoluble form or a super-saturated solution.
When the reaction occurs in a liquid solution, the solid formed is called the
precipitate.
B. Cation Analysis

Analytical Classification of Cations:

Group I- The Silver Group/ Insoluble Chloride Group

Ag+ Pb+2 Hg2+2

Group reagent/precipitant: 6MHCl

Group II- Copper- Arsenic Group / Acid Insoluble Sulfide Group

IIA- Cu Group- do not form amphoteric sulfides.

Cu+2 Bi+3 Cd+2 Pb+2 Hg+2

IIB- As Group

Arsenic- As+3 As+5

Antimony- Sb+3 Sb+5

Tin- Sn+2 Sn+4

Group reagent: 0.2-0.3MH+, TA , H2O2 / H2S in HCl

Group III- Aluminum – Iron Group / Alkali Insoluble Sulfide Group

IIIA- Al Group - ions that will form amphoteric hydroxides.

Al+3 Cr+3 Zn+2

IIIB- Fe Group – ions that will form non-amphoteric hydroxides.

Co+2 Ni+2 Mn+2 / +4 Fe+2 / +3

Group reagent: NH4Cl, NH4OH, (NH4)2S / H2S in the presence of NH4+ ions

Group IV- Alkaline-Earth Group / (NH4)2CO3 Group

Ba+2 Sr+2 Ca+2 Mg+2 - these ions will form insoluble carbonates except Mg +2
 Group reagent: (NH4)2CO3, NH4OH, NH4Cl

Group V- The Alkali Group / Soluble Group

K+ Na+ NH4+ (Li+ Rb+ Cs+ Fr+)

- these ions are not precipitated by any group reagent.

- always remain in solution.

Schematic Outline For Separation of Cations into Groups: