SAINT MARY’S UNIVERSITY

Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines

SCHOOL OF HEALTH AND NATURAL SCIENCES
CENTER FOR NATURAL SCIENCES

Name: Madayag, Lea-Ann Course & Year: BSMLS-1B Score:

Martinez, Aljohara Pearl
Puguon, Maureen
Instructor: Ma’am Juliet A. Group No: Group 2 Date of Activity: March 14,
Villanueva 2024

Activity 6
Test for Anions

INTRODUCTION
Qualitative analysis is critical in determining the presence of certain compounds in a
given sample, with an emphasis on the type of material rather than the amount. In this
activity, we will investigate the identification of common anions (negative ions) using
specialized chemical tests. These tests allow us to distinguish between distinct anions
based on their specific responses and properties. Observation and analysis can provide
insights into a sample's composition and chemical makeup.

OBJECTIVES: This activity should enable you to:

1. Perform chemical tests to identify the anions: Cl-, Br-, SO42-, SO32-, NO32- and CO32-.
2. Describe the chemical test/s that will identify each of the anions named above.
3. Write the chemical equation/s for the chemical reaction/s involved in each chemical
test performed.
MATERIALS AND REAGENTS
0.1 M aqueous solution of: Aluminum foil
AgNO3 Lime water – Ca(OH)2
Pb(NO3)2 Filter paper
BaCl2 Red litmus paper
FeSO4 Pipettes
NH4OH Test tubes
Conc. H2SO4 Set-up for the test for CO32-
Acidified KMnO4

PROCEDURE
A. Test for Halides (Cl-, Br-, I-)
1. We placed 1 mL of sample containing Cl- ions into a test tube. Then, we added an
equal volume of dilute nitric acid. Then add drops of aqueous silver nitrate. Describe
what happens.
 When a solution containing chloride ions (Cl-) is acidified with nitric acid,
it serves to prevent the precipitation of other metal ions that may
interfere with the test. Additionally, the acidification of the solution helps
in maintaining the stability of the chloride ions and prevents the
formation of other insoluble compounds that could interfere with the
detection of chloride ions.

1|Page
 SAINT MARY’S UNIVERSITY
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines
SCHOOL OF HEALTH AND NATURAL SCIENCES
CENTER FOR NATURAL SCIENCES

[Q1] Why a solution containing chloride ions is be acidified with nitric acid?
 A solution containing chloride ions is acidified with nitric acid primarily
to prevent interference from other ions during analysis, particularly in
analytical chemistry methods such as titrations or spectrophotometry.
2. We added excess aqueous ammonia to the solution and observe if the precipitate
dissolves. Shake well. Describe what happens.
 When excess aqueous ammonia is added to the solution containing the
precipitate formed by the reaction between chloride ions and silver
nitrate, the precipitate of silver chloride dissolves. This is because silver
chloride forms a complex ion with excess ammonia, known as the soluble
complex ion [Ag(NH3)2]+. The formation of this complex ion results in
the dissolution of the silver chloride precipitate

[Q2] Explain what happens when dissolved in excess aqueous ammonia.

 All the ions turns into a clearer solution from the actual color of each with
the AgNO3, thus the precipitate dissolved.

a. Repeat steps 1 and 2 on separate samples containing Br- and I- ions.

[Q3] Write the balanced chemical equations in each step of analysis and identify the
precipitate formed.

For bromide ions (Br-):

Ag+ (aq) + Br- (aq) → AgBr (s)
Ag+ (aq)+Br- (aq)→AgBr (s)

For iodide ions (I-):

Ag+ (aq) + I- (aq) → AgI (s)

2|Page
 SAINT MARY’S UNIVERSITY
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines
SCHOOL OF HEALTH AND NATURAL SCIENCES
CENTER FOR NATURAL SCIENCES

Ag+ (aq) + I- (aq) → AgI (s)

Anions Addition of Addition of Addition of excess Solubility

HNO3 AgNO3 NH4OH
Cl- White White precipitate Clear solution Soluble
precipitate was not
dissolved
Br- Clear solution Pale Yellow Clear solution Soluble
green precipitate
was formed
I -
Yellow Yellow powdery Clear solution Soluble
Precipitate precipitate was
(Urine like formed
color)
Interpretation: Based on our activity results, anions when mixed with ammonia would
create a clear solution, therefore they are soluble. Within the addition of Silver nitrate to
the anions, white, yellow and pale yellowish green precipitate where formed. Moreover, in
the addition of HO3 we have white, clear solution and yellow precipitate which were
formed. Thus, it implies that anions could react differently with different chemicals.

[Q4] How will you distinguish Cl- from Br- and I- ions?
Cl- creates a white precipitate with the addition of HNO3, the Br- creates a
clear solution while the I- creates yellow precipitate (Urine like color)

b. We placed 1 mL of Br- and I- ions in separate test tubes. We added drops of

aqueous lead (II) nitrate solution to each test tube.

[Q5] Write the balanced chemical equation and identify the precipitate formed.

Anions Addition of Pb(NO3)2

Br- White Solution/

precipitate
I -
Bright Yellow Solution/
precipitate
Interpretation: Based on the results of our activity, it implies that Bromide anions
could create white precipitate when mixed with lead nitrate on the other hand, the
presence of yellow solution indicates the presence of iodine anion when mixed with lead
nitrate.
[Q6] How will you distinguish between Br- and I- ions?
 Br- ions with Pb(NO3)2 creates a white solution while I- with Pb(NO3)2
creates a yellow solution.
3|Page
 SAINT MARY’S UNIVERSITY
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines
SCHOOL OF HEALTH AND NATURAL SCIENCES
CENTER FOR NATURAL SCIENCES

Test for sulfate (SO42-) ions

1. We placed 1 mL of sample solution containing sulfate ions into a test tube.
Add an equal amount of dilute HCl and then add drop by drop aqueous BaCl 2.

[Q7] What happens on addition of BaCl2 solution?

 Upon addition of aqueous BaCl2 to the sample solution containing
sulfate ions, a white precipitate of barium sulfate forms. This is due
to the reaction between barium ions and sulfate ions to form the
insoluble compound barium sulfate.

[Q8] Write the balanced chemical equation for the reaction involved. Identify the
precipitate formed.
2. To the test tube, we added more dilute HCl and shake. Describe what you
observed.
 Upon addition of more dilute HCl to the test tube and shaking, there
will be no further observable change. The addition of dilute HCl
serves to acidify the solution and prevent the formation of any
additional precipitates. Since barium sulfate is insoluble in both
acidic and basic solutions, it remains as a white precipitate in the
test tube even after shaking. Therefore, no further reaction or
observable change occurs.

3. Test for sulfite (SO32-) ions

1. We prepared a filter paper soaked in acidified potassium permanganate in the

following manner:
Add a few drops of aqueous KMnO4 to a small amount of dilute H 2SO4. (Do not use
dilute HCl to acidify). Soak a small piece of filter paper in this solution. Set aside for a
while.

4|Page
 SAINT MARY’S UNIVERSITY
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines
SCHOOL OF HEALTH AND NATURAL SCIENCES
CENTER FOR NATURAL SCIENCES

2. We placed a small amount of sample solution containing sulfite ions into a test tube.
We added an equal volume of dilute HCl. Then we, applied a gentle heat to the
mixture, if the reaction is slow. We placed the small piece of filter paper soaked in
acidified KMnO4 near the mouth of the test tube. Observe any change on the filter
paper. Describe and explain what you observed.
 The color of the filter paper slowly turns into blue as it is being
heated with vapor from the heated solution.

3. We smell the gas evolved during the test.

[Q9] Describe the smell of the gas. What is this gas?
 The smell of the gas evolved during the test is suffocating, and like
burning matches or rotten eggs or like that of burning sulfur. This
gas is sulfur dioxide (SO2.

4. Test for nitrate (NO3-) ions

There are two methods for identifying nitrate ions.
a. We placed 1 mL of sample solution containing nitrate ions. Add an equal
volume of aqueous iron (II) sulfate. Add 1 mL of conc. H 2SO4 carefully along
the side. Do not shake. Observe the junction of the two layers formed.
Describe what happens.
 When 1 mL of sample solution containing nitrate ions (NO3-) is
mixed with an equal volume of aqueous iron (II) sulfate and 1 mL of
concentrated sulfuric acid (H2SO4) is added carefully along the side
of the test tube without shaking, a brown ring forms at the junction
of the two layers. This brown ring is due to the formation of a
complex between nitrate ions and iron (II) ions, known as the
brown ring test.

5|Page
 SAINT MARY’S UNIVERSITY
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines
SCHOOL OF HEALTH AND NATURAL SCIENCES
CENTER FOR NATURAL SCIENCES

b. We placed 1 mL of sample solution containing nitrate ions. Then, we added

an equal volume of aqueous NaOH. Carefully add small bits of aluminum foil.
If the reaction is slow, apply gentle heat. Bring a wet, red litmus paper near
the mouth of the test tube. Note what happens.

[Q10] What happens to the red litmus paper? What gas do you think is evolved?
The red litmus paper turns into color blue.
c. Smell the gas evolved during the test.
-The gas evolved during the test likely smells like ammonia gas. Ammonia has a
characteristic pungent odor that is often described as sharp or suffocating.

5. Test for carbonate (CO32-) ions

a. Place 1 mL of sample solution containing carbonate ions into a test tube. If

the sample is a solid, use a ball pen scoop of the sample. Attach an exit tube to
the test tube. Prepare a beaker or test tube containing a small amount of
filtered lime water. Add an equal volume of dilute HCl to the sample in the
test tube. Immediately cover with stopper-exit tube assembly with the end of
the exit tube dipped in limewater. Observe what happens inside the test tube
and in the limewater.
[Q12] Describe and explain what happens. What gas is formed?

When dilute hydrochloric acid (HCl) is added to the sample containing carbonate
ions (CO3^2-), a chemical reaction occurs. Carbonate ions react with hydrochloric acid to
produce carbon dioxide gas (CO2), water (H2O), and chloride ions (Cl^-).

[Q13] Write a balance chemical equation for the reaction.

CO3^2-(aq) + 2HCl(aq) → CO2(g) + H2O(l) + 2Cl^-(aq)

GENERALIZATION
Chemical tests for anions include precipitation reactions, solubility tests, gas
evolution processes, and color changes in solutions. Using these precise assays, we were
able to identify anions like chloride (Cl-), bromide (Br-), sulfate (SO42-), sulfite (SO32-),
nitrate (NO3-), and carbonate (CO32-). And Each anion has unique features and reactions
that distinguish it from others. Understanding these chemical assays and their

6|Page
 SAINT MARY’S UNIVERSITY
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines
SCHOOL OF HEALTH AND NATURAL SCIENCES
CENTER FOR NATURAL SCIENCES

accompanying reactions allows for qualitative study of anions, which provides us useful
informations about the composition of a sample.

7|Page