SALT ANALYSIS

Systematic Qualitative Analysis of Simple Salt

Preliminary Tests
S.N EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE
O

1. Colour: The colour of the

salt is noted. White
May be due to absence
of Cu2+ Fe2+ Ni2+ Co2+
2. Smell :-Take a pinch of salt
between your fingers and rub
it with drop of water. Vinegar like smell May be presence of
CH3COO- ion

3. Action of Heat :-
Take a small amount of salt Vinegar like smell May be CH3COO- ion
in dry test tube and strongly
heat.
4. Flame Test :- Take a small
amount of salt in a watch No characteristic flame is observed Absence of Ba+2, Ca+2,
glass add conc. HCl to make Cu+2, Sr2+, ions
a paste that is exposed
through a glass rod in a non
luminous flame

5. ASH Test :- Take a salt in

test No characteristic flame is observed Absence of Zn+2,
tube add one or two drops of Mg+2,
HNO3 and then cobalt nitrate Al+3ions
solution. Filter paper dipped
in it and burnt.
6. Action of NaOH: Take a No characteristic reaction Absence be NH4+ salt
salt in a test tube add NaOH
solution and Heat.

Identification of Acid Radical

S.N EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE
O

7. Action of Dilute H2SO4 :- CH3COO- may be

Take a little amount of salt in Colourless vapour with smell of present
a test tube add dilute. H2SO4. vinegar on warming the test tube

8. Action of Conc.
H2SO4 :- Absence of Cl - , Br -,
Take a little amount of salt in a No characteristic reaction NO3- ions
test tube add conc. H2SO4
 9. Action of BaCl2 test:- Add
BaCl2 solution to salt White ppt. is not formed Absence of CO3-2 ,
solution SO4-2 ions

10. Ammonium molybdate test :-

To the salt solution add Absence of PO4-3 ion
conc.HNO3 and ammonium Canary yellow ppt is not formed
molybdate

Confirmation tests for the Acid Radical

Preparation of water extract (W.E):- [Acetates, nitrates and halides are soluble in water. Confirmatory tests for
those anions can be performed with water extract.]
Water extract is prepared by dissolving 1-2gm of given salt in 10-15ml distilled water in a
boiling test tube; this solution is called water extract (W.E).

Confirmation tests for acetate ion (CH3COO - )

S.N EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE

o
1. Ester formation: - An acetate salt Pleasant fruity smell is CH3COO- ion is confirmed.
when heated with ethanol and conc. observed
Sulphuric acid.
2. Action of FeCl3 :- add Ferric A brown red ppt. is CH3COO- ion is confirmed
chloride solution to the (WE) salt formed
solution and heated

Identification of Group cation (Basic Radical)

Preparation of Original Solution

 (for Cl- , NO3-, SO42- CH3COO - , PO4,3-salts)
Take a little salt in a clean boiling tube and add a few ml of
water and shake it. If it is not dissolved, heat the boiling tube till the salt is dissolved and is taken as
Original solution (O.S)

GROUP SEPARATION

S.NO GROU EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE

P

I Add dilute HCl to White ppt. is formed. May be presence of I

1. original solution Group ion (Pb+2)

Confirmation tests for the Basic Radical

Confirmation tests for Pb+2 (I group)

S.N EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE
o
1. Add K2CrO4 solution to the Yellow ppt. is formed. Pb+2 ion is confirmed
OS.
2. Add KI solution to Yellow ppt. is formed, when it is Pb+2 ion is confirmed
the OS mixed with hot water and then
cool under tap water golden
yellow spangles are formed.

Result : The given simple salt contains

(i) Anion : ________

(ii) Cation : ________

(iii) Salt : _________