Principles Related To Practical Chemistry

SYNOPSIS

 Qualitative analysis of organic compounds: Analysis involving detection of all elements

present in an organic compound.
 Qualitative analysis (Detection of elements):
I. Detection of carbon and hydrogen by the copper oxide test
II. Detection of nitrogen, halogen and sulphur by Lassaigne’s test

Copper oxide Method

(Carbon and hydrogen)

Lassaigne's test
Qualitative analysis (Halogen, Sulphur and
Nitrogen)

Phosphorous as
ammonium
phosphomolybdate

 Detection of carbon and hydrogen: Carbon and hydrogen are detected by

heating the compound with copper (II) oxide. Carbon present in the
compound is oxidised to carbon dioxide and hydrogen to water. Carbon
dioxide is tested with lime water. Carbon dioxide makes lime water milky and
develops turbidity. Water is tested with anhydrous copper sulphate, which
becomes blue on absorbing moisture.

C  2CuO 
 2Cu  CO2

2H  CuO 
 Cu  H2O

CO2  Ca(OH)2 
 CaCO3  H2O

5H2O  CuSO4 
 CuSO4 .5H2O
white Blue
 Detection of nitrogen: The sodium fusion extract (prepared by boiling fused
mass of the compound and sodium metal in distilled water) is boiled with
FeSO4 (iron (II) sulphate) and then acidified with concentrated sulphuric acid.
The formation of a Prussian blue colour confirms the presence of nitrogen.
6CN  Fe2 
[Fe(CN)6 ]4
xH O
3[Fe(CN)6 ]4 
2
 Fe4[Fe(CN)6 ]3 .xH2O
Prussian blue

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  Detection of sulphur: Two tests can be performed for the detection of sulphur.
a. On adding lead acetate to acidified sodium fusion extract, the formation
of a black precipitate confirms the presence of sulphur.
a. S2  Pb2 
 PbS
Black
b. On adding sodium nitroprusside to acidified sodium fusion extract, the
appearance of violet colour indicates the presence of sulphur.
S2  [Fe(CN)5 NO]2 
[Fe(CN)5 NOS]4
Violet

 Detection of halogens: On adding a silver nitrate solution to sodium fusion

extract acidified with nitric acid, a white precipitate (soluble in ammonium
hydroxide) shows the presence of chlorine, a yellowish precipitate (sparingly
soluble in ammonium hydroxide) shows the presence of bromine and a
yellow precipitate (insoluble in ammonium hydroxide) shows the presence of
iodine.
X   Ag 
 AgX (X  Cl,Br,I)

 Detection of phosphorus: The compound containing phosphorus is heated

with an oxidising agent (sodium peroxide) which oxidises phosphorus to
phosphate. The solution is boiled with nitric acid and then treated with
ammonium molybdate. A yellow colouration or precipitate indicates the
presence of phosphorus.
Na3PO4  3HNO3 
 H3PO4  3NaNO3
H3PO4  12(NH4 )2 MoO4  21HNO3 
 (NH4 )3 PO4 .12MoO3  21NH4NO3  12H2O
Ammonium Ammonium
molybdate phosphomolybdate

 Qualitative Analysis of Inorganic Compounds:

Identification of acidic radicals (anions):

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Identification of basic radicals (cations):

Group I

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Group II

Group II(a)

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Group II(b)

Group III

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Group IV

Group V

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Group VI

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