Classification of cations into groups

GROUP CATIONS GROUP REAGENT COLOUR OF THE PPT

Zero NH4 + Preliminary test -( Salt + (NH3 gas evolves., gives

Conc NaOH + Heat ) dense white fumes with
NH4OH)

I Pb 2+ Dil HCl PbCl 2 ( white )

II Cu 2+ DIl HCl + H2S CuS ( Black )

III Fe 3+ , Al 3+ NH4Cl +NH4OH Fe(OH)3 ( Brown )

Al(OH)3 ( White )

IV Co 2+ , Ni 2+ , Mn 2+ , Zn 2+ NH4Cl +NH4OH + H2S CoS , NiS ( Black )

MnS ( Buff coloured )
ZnS ( Dirty white )

V Ba 2+ , Sr 2+ , Ca 2+ NH4Cl +NH4OH + BaCO3 , SrCO3 , SrCO3

(NH4)2CO3 (white)

VI Mg 2+ Preliminary test –(Salt sol White ppt -

+ NH4Cl +NH4OH
Mg(NH4)PO4.6H2O
(NH4)3PO4 sol + scratch
the walls of the test tube)

Analysis of Cations:
EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE

Zero group – NH4+

Preliminary test
Heat a pinch of the salt with Ammoniacal smelling gas NH4+ is present
conc. NaOH evolves.
Confirmatory tests
Bring a glass rod dipped in dil Dense white fumes is seen NH4+ is confirmed.
HCl close to the mouth of the
test tube.

To the salt added conc. NaOH, Brown precipitate is formed. NH4+ is confirmed.
heated and then add Nessler’s
reagent.
Pb2+
Group test
To the salt solution added White ppt is formed Pb2+ is present
Dil.HCl
Confirmatory tests
To the salt solution added Yellow ppt is formed confirms the presence of Pb2+
K2CrO4

To the salt solution added KI Yellow ppt is formed confirms the presence of Pb2+

Second group - Cu2+

Group test
To the salt solution added Black ppt is formed Cu2+ is present
dil.HCl and H2S
Confirmatory tests

To the salt solution added Deep blue solution is obtained Confirms the presence of Cu2+
excess NH4OH

To the salt solution added Brown ppt is formed Confirms the presence of Cu2+
K4[Fe(CN)6]
Al3+
Group test
To the salt solution added
NH4Cl and NH4OH White gelatinous ppt is formed Al3+ is present
Confirmatory tests

To the salt solution added White ppt is formed Al3+ presence is confirmed
NaOH

To the salt solution added ,Dil Blue lake is formed Al3+ presence is confirmed
HCl, Blue litmus and NH4OH

Fe3+
Group test
To the salt solution added
NH4Cl and NH4OH Brown ppt is formed Fe3+ is present

Confirmatory tests
To the salt solution KCNS Blood red colouration Fe3+ presence is confirmed

To the salt solution K4[Fe(CN)6] Dark blue ppt is formed Fe3+ presence is confirmed
Fourth group-Ni2+
Group test
To the salt solution added Black ppt is formed Ni2+ is present
NH4Cl,NH4OH and H2S
Confirmatory tests
To the salt solution added DMG Red rose colouration Confirms the presence of Ni2+

To the salt solution added Light green ppt Confirms the presence of Ni2+
NaOH
Co2+
Group test
To the salt solution added Black ppt is formed Co2+ is present
NH4Cl,NH4OH and H2S
Confirmatory tests
To the salt solution added Blue ppt is formed Confirms the presence of Co2+
NaOH

To the salt solution added Blue ethereal layer is formed Confirms the presence of Co2+
NH4CNS and Ether
Mn2+
Group test
To the salt solution added Buff colour ppt is formed Mn2+ is present
NH4Cl,NH4OH and H2S
Confirmatory tests
To the salt solution added White ppt is formed Confirms the presence of Mn2+
NaOH

Leave the white ppt exposed to It turns brown Confirms the presence of Mn2+
air
Zn2+
Group test
To the salt solution added Dirty white ppt is formed Zn2+ is present
NH4Cl,NH4OH and H2S
Confirmatory tests
To the salt solution added White ppt is formed Confirms the presence of Zn2+
NaOH

To the salt solution added Bluish white ppt is formed Confirms the presence of Zn2+
K4[Fe(CN)6]
FIFTH GROUP
Ba2+
Group test
To the salt solution added White ppt is formed Ba2+ or Sr2+ or Ca2+ is present
NH4Cl,NH4OH & (NH4)2CO3

Confirmatory tests
To the salt solution added Yellow ppt is formed Ba2+ is confirmed
K2CrO4
Flame test
Make a paste of the salt with Light green colour is imparted Confirms the presence of Ba2+
conc HCl and introduce it in the to theflame
flame using platinum loop

Sr2+
Group test
To the salt solution added White ppt is formed Ba2+ or Sr2+ or Ca2+ is present
NH4Cl,NH4OH & (NH4)2CO3
Confirmatory tests
To the salt solution added White ppt is formed Confirms the presence of Sr2+
(NH4)2SO4
Flame test Crimson red colour is imparted Confirms the presence of Sr2+
to theflame
Ca2+
Group test
To the salt solution added White ppt is formed Ba2+ or Sr2+ or Ca2+ is present
NH4Cl,NH4OH & (NH4)2CO3
Confirmatory tests
To the salt solution added White ppt is formed Confirms the presence of Ca2+
(NH4)2C2O4

Flame test Brick red colour is imparted to Confirms the presence of Ca2+
theflame
Sixth group - Mg2+
To the salt solution added White ppt is formed Mg2+ is present
NH4Cl,NH4OH and Na2HPO4

To the salt solution added White ppt is formed Confirms the presence of Mg2+
(NH4)3PO4