General procedure for systematic qualitative analysis of given

inorganic salt:
AIM: To determine the acid radical and basic radical present in the given salt.
Preliminary test:
EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE
Note State and colour of Crystalline/Amorphous Absence of Cu?t, Fe*,
the salt White /Colourless Fe, Mn,Coz+, Ni2*
etc.
Odour: Small amount of Ammoniacal smell Ammonium may be
the salt rubbed present.
between fingers with Vinegar like smell Acetate may be present.
water. Sulphide may be
Rotten egg smell present.

Dry Heating test:

EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE
Heat a small quantity of the (a) Colourless and a. The gas evolved is CO,.
salt in a dry test tube. odourless gas CO or C,0 may be
evolved. present.
A. Gas evolved It turns lime water milky.
No observation Carbonate absent.

(b) Colourless gas with b.The gas evolved is HCI.

odour Cmay be present.
Colourless gas with pungent
smell, gives white fumes with
ammonia.
Ammoniacal smell Ammonium present.
Vinegar smell Acetate present.
c.The gas evolved is NO.
(c) Coloured gases NO; or NO; may be present.
Reddish brown fumes that. Absence of the
(d) No observation carbonate, radicals.
B. Decrepitation a. Crackling sound a.Nitrate may be present.
b. No observation b.Absence of nitrate.
C. Sublimates a. Sublimation seen a.Presence of ammonium
b. No observation b.Absence of ammonium
D. Residue a Turns yellow a.Presence of Zn2+
when hot and
white when cold
b. Turns brown and b. Presence of Pb2+
yellow when cold

Flame test:
EXPERIMENT
Take a little amount of the
salt in a watch glass. To this
add conc HCIto make a
paste. Using a platinum wire
introduce the paste into non
luminous flame.
Solubility:
Water
Cold Hot
Detection of Acid Radical:
Group I Analysis:(Co,,s, sO,
EXPERIMENT
Take a small quantity of the
salt in a test tube and add 1-2
mlof dilute sulphuric acid.
Confirmatory test for
carbonate:
Dil. HCI test:To a portion of
the salt solution, add dil HCI.
Pass the gas evolved through
lime water.
Barium chloride test (for
water soluble carbonates White precipitate is obtained
only)
To the VWater extract of the
salt add barium chloride
solution.
Group Il Analysis:(Ct, Br, I, NO:)
C. Salt glows white c.Presence of V group
radicals.
OBSERVATION INFERENCE
Apple green colour is Barium may be present.
imparted to the flame.
Crimson red colour is Strontium may be present.
imparted to the flame.
Brick red colour is imparted
to the flame Calcium may be present.
Dil. HCl Dil.HNO3
Cold Hot Cold Hot
CH,COO)
OBSERVATION INFERENCE
Colourless odourless gas with The gas evolved is CO,. This
brisk effervescence, turns lime may be due to the presence of
water milky. CO,.
No characteristic COis absent.
observation.
Brisk effervescence and
Carbonate is present and
evolution of colourless confirmed.
odourless gases.
Lime water turns milky.
Carbonate is confirmed.
which is completely soluble in
Dil. HCI
 EXPERIMENT
To a pinch of salt in a test
tube, add 1-2 ml of conc.
sulphuric acid.
To the above solution add
Copper turnings and heat.
Confirmatory test for chloride(CI):
EXPERIMENT
Silver nitrate test: Aidifya
portion of aqueous solution
with dil. HNO,. Boil for some
time, cool and add
AgNO, solution.
Chromy chloride test:To
pinch of the salt add small
amount of potasium
dichromate. To the mixture
add conc. H,SO.
Heat the test tube and pass
the red vapours evolved into
NaOH solution.
To the yelow solution , add
dil. CH3COOH and lead
acetate solution.
Confirmatory test for Bromide (Br:
EXPERIMENT
Silver nitrate test: Aidify a
portion of aqueous with dil.
HNO. Boil, cool and add
AgNO, solution.
Chlorine water test: Acidify
a portion of aqueous solution
with dil. HCI and add 1-2 ml
of carbon tetrachloride and
then chlorine water. Shake
vigorously and allow it to
stand.
Confirmatory test for acetate(CH:CO0)
OBSERVATION INFERENCE
Colourless gas with pungent Presence of Cl-.
smel, forms white fumes with
a glass rod dipped in
ammonium hydroxide
solution shown over the
mouth of the test tube.
Reddish brown gas with May be due to the presence
pungent smell. Solution turns of Br.
yellow
Colourless vapours with May be acetate present
vinegar smell
Brown coloured gas is
evolved and solution turns Nitrate may be present.
light blue.
No Characteristic Chloride, bromide and
observation nitrate absent.
OBSERVATION INFERENCE
Awhite precipitate is formed
which is soluble in
ammonium hydroxide Chloride is confirmed.
solution.
Red vapours are evolved.
Yellow solution is obtained.
Ayellow precipitate is
formed.
Chloride is confirmed.
OBSERVATION INFERENCE
Alight-yellow precipitate is Bromide is confirmed.
formed partially soluble in
NH,OH.
Carbon tetrachloride layer Bromide is confirmed.
acquires orange colouration
 EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE
.1. Esterification: to salt Fruity smell is observed
solution add 1 ml of ethanol.
Add 2 drop of suiphuric acid
and heat on a water bath

2. Ferric chloride test: Reddish coloured filterare.

To aqueous solution of the Acetate is confirmed.
salt add neutral ferric
chloride solution. Filter it.
Divide it into 2 parts.
Reddish colour disappears.
To one part add dil HCI.
To 2nd add water and boil.
Reddish brown ppt

Confirmatory test for (NO:).

EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE
Brown Ring test: To
aqueous solution of the salt,
add a small quantity of freshly A dark brown ring is formed
prepared solution of ferrous at the junction of the layers of Nitrate is confirmed.
sulphate and then add the acid and the solution.
concentrated sulphuric acid
slowly along the sides of the
test tube.

Analysis of Group lIlacid radical:(SO., PO,):

EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE
Barium chloride test: To a
part of aqueous solution of A white precipitate is formed.
the salt add barium chloride Sulphate is present and
solution. confirmed.
The white precipitate is
Add dil. HCI to the white insoluble in dil. HCI.
precipitate and shake.
Lead acetate test: To a part
of aqueous solution of the A white precipitate is formed Sulphate is confirmed.
salt add lead acetate solution. which is insoluble in excess
Add excess of hot ammonium of hot ammonium acetate
acetate to this precipitate. solution.
Preparation of original solution(oS): To pinch of the salt add suitable solvent
and shake to get a clear solution.
Detection of Basic Radical:
Analysis of Group-Zero (NH.):
EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE
To a small amount of solid salt
taken in a test tube, add some
 concentrated solution of Characteristic ammoniacal The gas evolved is NH,.
sodium hydroxide and heat smell. Presence of Group Zero
| the contents. (NH.).
No characteristic observation. Ammonium absent.

Proceed for Group I analysis.

Confirmation of NH:

EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE

Bring a glass rod dipped in dil. Agas with ammoniacal smell The gas evolved is ammonia
HCI near the mouth of the a is evolved. Presence of NH, is confirmed.
test tube heated containing
salt and NaOH solution. White fumes is produced.
Nessler's Reagent test:
To the original solution add
Nessler's reagent. Brown precipitate is formed Ammonium is confirmed.

Analysis of Group I basic radical (Pb*):

EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE
To a small amount of original Group | basic radical
solution taken in a test tube, present.
add dil. hydrochloric acid. White precipitate is formed
May be Pb2+
No characteristic observation Pb2+ absent.
Proceed for Group
analysis.

Confirmatory test for Pb2*;

EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE
Boil the white
precipitate obtained when
original solution is treated White precipitate dissolves
with Dil.HCI with 5-10 ml of in hot water.
water. Presence of Pb2+ ion is
White crystalline precipitate confirmed.
Cool one part of the solution. reappears.

Potassium chromate test:

To the second part of the
solution add potassium Yellow precipitate is formed. Presence of Pb² ion is
chromate solution. Confirmed.

Analysis of Group Il basic radical (Cu, As):

EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE
 To original solution in a test Group basic radical
tube. Add some dil. HCI and present. May be Cu²* or Pb2+
warm the contents. Through Black precipitate observed.
this solution pass H2S gas.
No characteristic
observation. Cu2+ and Pb2+ are absent.
Proceed for Group
analysis.

Analysis of Group Il basic radical(A1*, Fea"):

EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE
To the original solution in a
test tube add a pinch of solid
NH CI. Shake to dissolve.
Then add excesS
Ammonium hydroxide White gelatinous Presence of Group Ill cation
solution. Shake well. precipitate. May be Al3.
No characteristic observation. A3+ absent.
Proceed for Group IV
analysis.

Confirmatory test for A|a*:

EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE
To the original solution add White precipitate
little amount of sodium observed.
hydroxide solution. Aluminium is confirmed.
Lake test: To the original
solution add solid NH4CI.
Dissolve. Add Ammonium
hydroxide solution. A
precipitate is obtained. To the
precipitate add two drops of Blue precipitate floats on the
formed.
blue litmus solution. To this.precipitate
add NH,OHdropwise till blue
colour develops.
Ash Test: Dip a filter paper in Blue ash observed
a watch glass containing salt Aluminium is confirmed.
in conc HCI/HNO3 and cobalt
nitrate solution. Burnt.

Analysis of Group IV (Zinc GrOup):

If there is no ppt. in the third group, then use the same ammoniacal solution for the fourth group.
EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE
To the original solution in a Buff (flesh) coloured Group IV present. May be
test tube add a pinch of solid precipitate. Mn2*.
 NH¡CI. Shake to dissolve.
Then add excess
Ammonium hydroxide Dull white precipitate. Group IV present. May be
Zn2+.
solution. Shake well. Pass
H2S gas.
No characteristic observation. Group IV Cations absent.
Proceed for Group
analysis.

Confirmation of Group -IV Cations: ( Mn²* and Zn2*):

EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE
Sodium hydroxide test:
To one part of salt solution in
a test tube, add NaOH
solution.
White precipitate is obtained Mn2+ is confirmed.
which turns brown.
Lead peroxide test:
To brown ppt. obtained in
above test add Conc. Pink coloured solution is The pink colour is due to the
HNO, and lead peroxideformed. formation of HMnO.. Presence
solution. Boil, cool and allow of Mn is confirmed.
| to stand.

Confirmatory test for Zn2*:

EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE
1. Sodium hydroxide
test:
To the original
solution in a test tube,
add sodium hydroxide
(NaOH) solution A white precipitate is formed.
dropwise. Zn?* is confirmed.
Add more NaOH t0
the white precipitate. The white ppt dissolves.
2. Potassium
ferrocyanide test:
To the original
solution in a test tube,
add
potassium White or
ferrocyanide solution. precipitate is formed.
bluish white Zn2+ is contirmed.

3. Ash test: : Dip a filter Green colour ash Znis confirmed.

paper in a watch glass
containing salt in conc
HCI/HNO3 and cobalt
nitrate solution. Burnt.
Analysis of Group V
Cations :(Ba?, Ca?, Sr2*):
EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE
To the original salt solution, The white precpitate may due
add 2-3 grams of solid NH,CI, to the formation of carbonates
boil and cool the contents and White precipitate is formed Of Ba, Sr2* or Caz*. Group V
add NH,OH till the solution and which is dissolved in hot cations are present.
smells ammonia. Then add dil. acetic add.
ammonium carbonate May be Ba2, Sre or Ca.
solution.
No characteristic observation. Group V Cations absent.
Proceed for Group VI
Analysis.

Confirmatory test for Ba2*:

EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE
1. Potassium
chromate test:
To the original Yellow precipitate is formed. Ba'* is confirmed.
solution in a test tube.
add a few drops of
potassium chromate
solution.

2. Flame test:Take
small amount of the
salt in a watch glass
and add few drops of
conc. HCI. make a
paste. Dip a cleaned
platinum wire intO this Grassy areen is imparted to Ba2 is confirmed.
paste and introduce the flame.
the wire into the non
luminous flame.

Confirmatory test for Sr2:

EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE

1. Ammonium sulphate
test: To the original
solution in the test White precipitate is obtained. Sret is confirmed.
tube add 1 ml
ammonium sulphate
solution.
 2. Flame test: Take a
small amount of the
salt in a watch glass
and add few drops of
conc. HCI. MixX the
Contents well to make
a paste. Dip a cleaned
platinum wire into this Crimson red colour
paste and introduce imparted to the flame.
the wire into the non Se is confirmed.
luminous flame.

Confirmatory test for Ca?*:

EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE
Ammonium oxalate test:

To the original solution in a White precipitate is obtained. Ca't is confirmed.

test tube add 1 ml of
ammonium oxalate solution.
Flame test: Take a small
amount of the salt in a watch
glass and add few drops of
conc. HCI. Mix the contents
well to make a paste. Dip a
cleaned platinum wire into this briCK red colour is imparted Caz+ is confirmed
the flamne.
paste and introduce the wire
into the non-luminous flame.

Analysis of Group VI (Mg*):

EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE
1. Ammonium
Phosphate test:

To a part of the
original salt solution in Mg² is confirmed.
a test tube, add some
solid NH,CI and
solution of NH,OH in Awhite precipitate is formed.
slight excess. Then
add ammonium
phosphate solution
and rub the sides of
the test-tube with a
glass rod.
2. Ash test: : Dip a filter
paper in a watch glass
containing salt in conc
HC/HNO3 and cobalt Pink coloured ash Mg2+ is confirmed.
nitrate solution. Burnt