IDENTIFICATION OF IONS

Key Words
Qualitative (analysis) The process used to determine the presence or absence of a
substance in a given sample.
Cation Positively charged particles
Anion Negatively charged particles
Precipitate An insoluble salt formed during a precipitation reaction.
Precipitation reaction A reaction in which an insoluble salt is prepared from solutions of
two suitable salts.

FLAME TESTS TO IDENTIFY METAL CATIONS

Cation Lithium, Sodium, Potassium, Calcium, Barium, Copper(II),
Li + Na + K+ Ca 2+ Ba 2+ Cu 2+
Flame color Red Yellow Lilac Orange - Red Light Green Blue

IDENTIFYING CATIONS
The reagents used to identify cations are sodium hydroxide solution, NaOH (aq), and aqueous
ammonia, NH3 (aq). All cations (except Na+, K+ and NH4+) give precipitates with these alkalis.

 Ppt = precipitate

Cation Sodium hydroxide, NaOH (aq) Aqueous ammonia, NH3 (aq)

Adding few drops Adding in excess Adding few drops Adding in excess
Zn 2+ White ppt Ppt dissolves in White ppt Ppt dissolves in
excess to form a excess to form a
colorless colorless
solution. solution.
Al 3+ White ppt Ppt dissolves in White ppt Ppt is insoluble
excess to form a in excess.
colorless
solution.
Pb 2+ White ppt Ppt dissolves in White ppt Ppt is insoluble
excess to form a in excess.
colorless
solution.
Ca 2+ White ppt Ppt is insoluble No ppt No ppt
in excess
Cu 2+ Light blue ppt Ppt is insoluble Light blue ppt Ppt dissolves in
in excess excess to form a
 deep blue
solution.
Fe 2+ Green ppt Ppt is insoluble Green ppt Precipitate is
in excess insoluble in
excess.
Fe 3+ Reddish-brown ppt Ppt is insoluble Reddish-brown Precipitate is
in excess ppt insoluble in
excess.
Cr 3+ Green ppt Ppt is soluble in Green ppt Ppt insoluble in
excess excess
NH4 + No ppt No change is
observed.
On heating
ammonia gas turns
moist red litmus
paper blue.

TESTS TO IDENTIFY ANIONS

Anions Test Observation
2- Add dilute hydrochloric acid, then Decolorizes the purple
Sulfite (SO3 )
add aqueous potassium manganate potassium manganate (VII)
(VII) solution solution.

Bromide (Br-) Acidify with dilute nitric acid, then Cream ppt of silver bromide
add aqueous silver nitrate formed.

Sulfate (SO4 2-) Add dilute nitric acid, then add A white precipitate of barium
barium nitrate solution. sulfate is formed.

Chloride, (Cl- ) Add dilute nitric acid, then add A white precipitate of silver
silver nitrate solution. chloride is formed.

Iodide, (I- ) Add dilute nitric acid, then add A yellow precipitate of silver
silver nitrate solution. iodide is formed.

Carbonate (CO3 2-) Add dilute HCL Effervescence is observed.

Pass the gas given off through
limewater. The moist red litmus paper
turns blue. Ammonia gas is
given off.
Nitrate (NO3)- Add sodium hydroxide solution,
then add a piece of aluminum foil.
Warm the mixture.
Test the gas given off with a piece
of moist red litmus paper.
Effervescence is observed.
The moist red litmus paper
turns blue. Ammonia gas is
given off.

A STRATEGY FOR IDENTIFYING METAL CATIONS

Add sodium
hydroxide

Yes Is ppt colored

No

Add excess
Which color sodium
Light hydroxide
Blue
Green
Grey-
green
Brown
Cu 2+
Does ppt Yes
No redissolve
Cr 3+ Fe 2+ Fe 3+

Al 3+ or Zn 2+
Add excess Cu 2+
sodium
hydroxide

Repeat with
Ammonia
solution
Does ppt
dissolve in
excess
Yes
No
Yes Does ppt No
dissolve in
Cr 3+ Fe 2+
excess

Zn 2+ Al 3+