CSEC Qualitative Analysis

Cations
Objectives
Describe the tests to confirm the presence
of some cations
Describe observations if the test if
positive

The cations NH4 +, Ca2+ , Al3+ , Pb2+ , Zn2+ ,

Cu2+ , Fe2+ , Fe3+
Why are bases used?
Bases are used to confirm the presence of
cations for two reasons
1) they form insoluble precipitates
2) the precipitate formed tend to be
coloured and this can be used to identify
the ion present
Cation Observation Inference
Tests with NaOH. NaOH is added dropwise and then in
NH4 + No visible reaction. On heating a NH4 + present
excess pungent gas formed that turns red NH + -OH → NH + H O
4
+
(aq) (aq) 3(g) 2
litmus blue (l)

Ca2+ White precipitate formed does not Ca 2+ (aq) + 2-OH (aq) → Ca(OH)2 (s)
dissolve in excess

Al3+ White precipitate formed dissolves Al 3+ (aq) + 3-OH(aq) →Al(OH)3 (s)

in excess

Pb2+ White ppt formed dissolves in Pb 2+ is present

excess Pb2+ (aq) + 2-OH(aq) →Pb(OH)2 (s)

Zn 2+ White ppt formed dissolves in Zn2+ present

excess to give clear colourless Zn2+ (aq) + 2-OH(aq) →Zn(OH)2 (s)
solution

Fe2+ Green ppt formed. Does not Fe 2+ present

dissolve In excess Fe2+ (aq) + 2-OH (aq) →Fe(OH)2 (s)

Fe3+ Red brown ppt formed does not Fe3+ present

dissolve in excess Fe3+ (aq) + 3-OH (aq) →Fe(OH)3 (s)

Cu2+ Blue ppt formed. Does not dissolve Cu2+ present

in excess Cu2+ (aq) + 2-OH (aq) →Cu(OH)2 (s)
Test with aqueous ammonia. Add
dropwise and then to excess
Cation Observation Inference

NH4 + No visible reaction _

Ca2+ No visible reaction -

Al3+ White precipitate formed does Al 3+ (aq) + 3-OH(aq) →Al(OH)3 (s)

not dissolves in excess
Pb2+ White ppt formed does not Pb 2+ is present
dissolve in excess Pb2+ (aq) + 2-OH(aq) →Pb(OH)2 (s)
Zn 2+ White ppt formed. Dissolves in Zn2+ present
excess to give clear colourless Zn2+ (aq) + 2-OH(aq) →Zn(OH)2 (s)
solution
Fe2+ Green ppt formed. Does not Fe 2+ present
dissolve In excess Fe2+ (aq) + 2-OH (aq) →Fe(OH)2 (s)
Fe3+ Red brown ppt formed does not Fe3+ present
dissolve in excess Fe3+ (aq) + 3-OH (aq) →Fe(OH)3 (s)
Cu2+ Blue ppt formed dissolves in Cu2+ present
excess to give a deep blue Cu2+ (aq) + 2-OH (aq) →Cu(OH)2
solution (s)
Confirmatory test to differentiate
between Pb 2+ and Al 3+
Test Observation Inference
Add KI (potassium Yellow precipitate forms Pb 2+ present
iodide) Pb2+ (aq) + 2I - (aq) → PbI2
(s)

No visible reaction
Al3+ present
Add dilute HCl White precipitate forms Pb2+ present
Pb 2+ (aq) + 2Cl - (aq) →
PbCl2( s)

No visible reaction Al 3+ present

Add dilute H2SO4( any White precipitate Pb 2+ present
sulphate salt) THIS ONE Pb2+ (aq) + SO4 2- (aq) →
CAN GIVE A FALSE PbSO4 (s)
POSITIVE TEST
No visible reaction Al 3+ present
Summary
Cation Test with NaOH Test with NH3

NH4 + No visible reaction. On heating No visible reaction

a pungent gas formed that turns
red litmus blue
Ca2+ White precipitate formed does
not dissolve in excess
Al3+ White precipitate formed
dissolves in excess
Pb2+ White ppt formed dissolves in
excess
Zn 2+ White ppt formed dissolves in
excess
Fe2+ Green ppt formed. Does not
dissolve In excess
Fe3+ Red brown ppt formed does not
dissolve in excess
Cu2+ Blue ppt formed. Does not
dissolve in excess
No visible reaction
White precipitate formed
dissolves in excess
White ppt formed dissolve in
excess
White ppt formed dissolves in
excess
Green ppt formed. Does not
dissolve In excess
Red brown ppt formed does not
dissolve in excess
Blue ppt formed dissolves in
excess to give a deep blue
solution