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Qualitative Analysis 1

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Qualitative Analysis
Qualitative Analysis
Test for Cation
Test for Anion
Qualitative Analysis of inorganic Elements
 1. Detection test of C & H

➢ Carbon and hydrogen are detected by heating the compound with CuO

➢ Carbon present in the compound is oxidised to CO2 (tested with lime-water,

which develops turbidity).

➢ Hydrogen to H2O (tested with anhydrous copper sulphate, which turns

blue)
2. Lassaigne’s Test

➢ Nitrogen, sulphur, halogens and phosphorus present in an organic

compound are detected by “Lassaigne’s test”.

➢ The elements present in the compound are converted from covalent

form into the ionic form by fusing the compound with sodium metal.
(A) Test for Nitrogen

The sodium fusion extract is boiled with FeSO4 and then acidified with
conc. H2SO4 then formation of Prussian blue colour confirms the presence
of nitrogen.
(B) Test for Sulphur

Sodium fusion extract is reacted with lead acetate, a black precipitate of

lead sulphide is formed, which indicates presence of sulphur.
(B) Test for Sulphur

Sodium fusion extract is treated with freshly prepared sodium nitroprusside,

appearance of violet colour (purple) indicates presence of sulphur.
(B) Test for Sulphur

In case both nitrogen and sulphur are present in an organic compound

sodium thiocyanate is formed, which gives blood red colour with Fe+3 .
 (B) Test for Sulphur

If sodium fusion is carried out with excess of sodium, the thiocyanate

decomposes to yield cyanide and sulphide, these ions gives their usual tests.
(C) Test for Halogen
The sodium fusion extract is acidified with nitric acid and then treated with
silver nitrate.

A white precipitate, soluble in ammonium hydroxide shows the presence of

chlorine,
(D) Test for Phosphorous

The compound is heated with oxidising agent (sodium peroxide) phosphorus

present in the compound is oxidised to sodium phosphate.

The solution is boiled with nitric acid and then treated with ammonium
molybdate, a canary yellow (ammonium phospho molybdate) precipitate
formation indicates presence of phosphorus