Systematic Qualitative Analysis or Simple Salt

Preliminary Tests

S.NO EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE

1. Colour : The colour of the Blue or Bluish green May be due to Cu2+
salt is noted. Light Green May be due to Fe2+
Green May be due to Ni2+
Rose Red May be due to Co2+
Colourless May be due to
absence of Cu2+Fe2+
Ni2+ Co2+
2. Smell:A pinch of salt with Ammoniacal smell May be NH4+ ion
a drop of water rubbed
between the fingers. Vinegar like smell May be CH3COO- ion

No characteristic smell Absence of NH4+ ion

or CH3COO- ion
3. Action of Heat: Colourless and odourless gas (CO2) May be CO32- ion
A small amount of salt sis Colourless pungent smelling gas (HCl) May be Cl- ion
taken in in dry test tube Vinegar like smell May be CH3COO- ion
and strongly heat. Brown coloured gas May be NO3- ion
Smell of NH3 May be NH4+ ion
Water drops are formed around walls May be Hydrated salt
of test tube.
4. Flame Test:A small Apple green flame is observed May be Ba2+ ion
amount of salt is taken in
a watch glass and few Brick red flame is observed May be Ca2+ ion
drops of conc. HClis
added to it and made into Green with blue centre is observed May be Cu2+ ion
a paste. This is taken in a
platinum wire and Crimson red flame is observed May be Sr2+ ion
introduced into the blue
part of the non-luminous No characteristic flame is observed Absence of Ba2+, Ca2+,
flame. Cu2+ , Sr2+ ions.
5. Ash Test:A pinch of salt is Blue Ash is observed May be Al3+ ion
taken in a china dish and
few drops of HNO3 and Green Ash is observed May be Zn2+ ion
then cobalt nitrate
solution are added. A Pink Ash is observed May be Mg2+ ion
Filter paper soaked in it
and ingnited.
6. Action of NaOH: To a A colourless gas with ammonia smell May be NH4+salt
pinch of the salt taken in is evolved. When a glass rod is dipped
a test tube 2mL of NaOH in conc. HCl and exposed above the
solution is added and mouth of the test tube dense white
heated. (NH4Cl) fumes are observed
Identification of Acid Radical

S.NO EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE

7. Action of Dilute H2SO4 :To Brisk efferscence in cold with CO3-2 may be present
a pinch of salttaken in a evolution of colourless and odourless
test tube 2 mL of dilute gas. CH3COO- may be
sulphuric acid(H2SO4) Is Colourless vapour with smell of present
added. vinegar on warming the test tube
Absence of CO3-2,
No characteristic reaction. CH3COO- ions
8. Action of Conc. H2SO4 Colourless, pungent smelling gas is Cl- may be present
To a pinch of salt taken in evolved which gives dense white
a test tubefew drops of fumes of NH4Cl when a glass rod
conc. H2SO4 is added dipped in aqueous ammonia solution
is shown to the mouth of the test
tube
Reddish brown gas is evolved. NO3- may be present

No characteristic reaction Absence of Cl-, NO3

ions
i) Chromyl Chloride Test Yellowish orange vapours are evolved. Presence of Cl- ion
A pinch of salt taken in a
test tubeismixed with 3
times its weight of K2Cr2O7
and few drops of conc.
H2SO4is added and heated.
ii) Action of conc. H2SO4 Reddish brown vapours are evolved Presence of Nitrate
copper tunings (NO3-) ion
To a pinch of salt few
copper tunings andfew
drops of conc.H2SO4are
added and heated strongly.
9. Action of BaCl2Test White ppe. Is formed. It is insoluble in Sulphate ion may be
If the salt is soluble in conc. HCl present
water to 1mL of salt White ppt. is formed and is soluble in CO3-2 ion may be
solution 1mL of BaCl2 conc. HCl present
solution is added. White ppt. is not formed Absence of CO3+-2 SO4-
2
ions
10. Ammonium molybdate Canary yellow ppt is formed PO4-3 ion may be
test present.
To 1 mL of salt solution few No Canary yellow ppt. Absence of PO4-3 ion
drops of conc. HNO3 and
1mL of ammonium
molybdate solution are
added
 Confirmation tests for the Acid Radical

Confirmation tests for a carbonate ion (CO32-)

S.NO EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE

1. To the pinch of the given Colourless, odourless gas is evolved Presence of CO32- ion
salt, 2 mL dil.HCl is added.. with brisk effervescence.
2. More salt is added in the Lime water turns milky. CO32- ion is confirmed
same test tube and the gas
is passed through freshly
prepared lime water..
3. Action of BaCl2(For water White ppt. is formed. It is soluble in CO32- ion is confirmed
soluble carbonates.) To con.HCl.
1mL of salt solution 1mL of
BaCl2 solution is added

Preparation of water extract (W.E):

[Acetates, nitrates and halides are soluble in water. Confirmatory tests for
those anions can be performed with water extract]
Water extract is prepared by dissolving 1-2 gm of given salt in 10-15 ml
distilled water in a boiling test tube; this solution is called water extract (W.E).

Confirmation tests for acetate ion (CH3COO-)

S.NO EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE

1. Ester formation A pinch of the salt Pleasant fruity smell is CH3COO- ion is
is heated with ethanol and conc. observed. confirmed
Sulphuric acid.
2. Action of FeCl31mL of Ferric A brown red ppt. is formed CH3COO- ion is
chloride solution is added to 1 mL confirmed
of the (WE) and heated

Confirmation test for Nitrate ion (NO3-)

S.N EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE

O
1. Action of conc. H2SO4 Reddish brown vapours are Presence of Nitrate
copper tunings evolved (NO3-) ion
To a pinch of salt few
copper tunings and few
drops of conc.H2SO4are
added and heated strongly.
2. Brown ring test: To the Brown ring is formed at the NO3- ion is
(WE) 1mL of freshly junction of two layers. confirmed
prepared Ferrous
sulphate solution is
added. Then conc.
 H2SO4is added along the
sides of the test
tubedropwise.

Confirmation test for chloride ion (Cl-)

S.N EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE

O
1. Chromyl Chloride Test Yellowish orange vapours are Presence of Cl- ion
A pinch of salt taken in a evolved.
test tubeis mixed with 3
times its weight of K2Cr2O7
and few drops of conc.
H2SO4is added and heated.
2. Silver Nitrate Test: White curdy precipitate is formed. Cl- ion is confirmed
To 1mL of Salt solution It is soluble in ammonium
(WE) 1 mL of silver hydroxide solution.
nitrate solution is added.

Confirmation test for Sulphate ion (SO 42-)

S.N EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE

O
1. Action of BaCl2Test: White precipitate is insoluble in Presence of SO42-
To 1mL of water extract conc. HCl is formed. ion is confirmed
1 mL of BaCl2 solution is
added.
2. Lead acetate Test: White precipitate soluble in Presence of SO42-
To the salt Solution ammonium acetate solution is ion is confirmed
(WE), add Lead acetate formed.
solution.

Preparation of sodium carbonate extract (SCE) [salts partially or insoluble in water,

is boiled with saturated sodium carbonate solution to convey the anions present in
mixture into soluble sodium salts as a result of double decomposition]

Preparation: 1gm of powdered mixture, 1-2g of sodium carbonate, 10ml distilled

water is taken in a boiling tube. Heat with stirring for 5-10 minutes. Cool the contents
and filter. The filtrate is called sodium carbonate extract.

Confirmation test for Phosphate ion (PO 4-3)

S.NO EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE

1. Ammonium molybdate Canary yellow ppt is formed PO4-3 ion may be
test: present.
To the salt solution (WE) Canary yellow ppt is not formed
 add conc. HNO3 and Absence of PO4-3 ion
ammonium molybdate.
2. To the sodium carbonate A violet ppt. is formed. It is soluble PO4-3 ion is
extract add cobalt in acetic acid solution. confirmed
nitrate solution.
Identification of Group cation (Basic Radical)

Preparation of Original Solution

(for Cr, NO3-, SO42- CH3COO-, PO43- salts) Take a little salt in a clean boiling tube
and add a few ml of water and shake it. If it is not dissolved, heat the boiling tube till
the salt is dissolved and is taken as Original solution (O.S)

(for CO32-), Take a little salt in a clean boiling tube and add a few ml of dil. HCl
and shake it, till the salt is dissolved and is taken as Original solution (O.S)

GROUP SEPARATION

S.N GROUP EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE

O
1. I Add dilute HCl to White ppt. is formed May be presence of I
original solution Group ion (pb+2)
No white ppt. is Absence of I- group (pb+2)
formed
2. II OS + dilute HCl + Black ppt. is formed May be presence of II
H2 S Group ion like Cu+2
No black ppt. is Absence of II- group (Cu+2)
formed
3. III O.S is saturated White ppt. is formed presence of III ion
with solid NH4Cl Reddish brown ppt. is Aluminium ion (Al+3)
and then add formed No Presence of Iron ion (Fe+2)
excess NH4OH characteristic ppt. Absence of III- group ions
4. IV OS + NH4Cl + White ppt is formed Presence of IV group ion
NH4OHl + H2S (Zn+2)
Black ppt is formed Presence of IV group ions
(Co+2, Ni+2)
No characteristic ppt. Absence of IV-group ions
5. V OS + NH4Cl + White ppt is formed Presence of V group ions
NH4OHl + (Ba+2, Ca+2, Sr-2)
(NH4)2CO3 solution No characteristic ppt. Absence of V-group ions
6. VI OS + NH4Cl + White ppt. is formed. Presence of VI group ion
NH4OHl + It is soluble in acetic Mg+2
Na2HPO4 solution acid.
No characteristic ppt Absence of VI-group ions
7. 0 To the salt solution Reddish brown ppt. if Presence of Zero group ion
 Nessler’s reagent formed NH4+
is added

Confirmation tests for the Basic Radical

Confirmation test for NH4+ (0 group)

S.N EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE
O
1. To the salt solution Reddish brown ppt. is formed. NH4+ ion is
Nesseler’s reagent confirmed
(potassium tetra iodide
mecurate (II) is added.

Confirmation tests for Pb+2 (I group)

S.NO EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE
1. Add K2CrO4 solution to the Yellow ppt. is formed. Pb+2 ion is
OS.. confirmed
2. Add Kl solution to the OS Yellow ppt. is formed, when it is Pb+2 ion is
mixed with hot water and then confirmed
cool under tap water golden
yellow spangles are formed.

Confirmation tests for Cu+2 (II group)

S.NO EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE

1. Add Ammonia solution to White ppt. is formed. It is Cu +2 ion is
the OS. soluble in excess NaOH solution. confirmed
2. Add Potassium ferro Blue Ash is observed. Cu+2 ion is confirmed
cyanide solution to the OS.

Confirmation tests for Al+3ion (III group)

S.NO EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE
1. Action of NaOH: Add NaOH White ppt. is formed. It is Al +3 ion is
solution drop wise to the soluble in excess NaOH solution. confirmed
OS..
2. ASH Test: Take a salt in test Blue Ash is observed Al+3 ion is confirmed
tube add cobalt nitrate
 solution. Filter paper
dipped in it and burnt it.

Confirmation tests for Co+2ion (IV group)

S.NO EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE

1. To the OS add few drops of Yellow ppt. is formed. Co +2 ion is
NH4OH and conc. Solution confirmed
of KNO2 and acidify with
acetic acid solution.
2. To the OS add acetone and Blue colouration in organic layer Co+2 ion is
solid ammonium is observed. confirmed
thiocyanate and shake the
test tube.

Confirmation tests for Ni+2ion (IV group)

S.NO EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE
1. Add NaOH solution OS. Green ppt. is formed. Ni +2 ion is
confirmed
2. To the OS add excess Scarlet red ppt. is formed Ni+2 ion is confirmed
NH4OH solution and
DMG (Dimethyl
glyoxime)

Confirmation tests for Zn+2ion (IV group)

S.NO EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE
1. Add NaOH solution to OS White ppt. is formed. It is soluble Zn +2 ion is
drop wise. in excess NaOH solution. confirmed
2. To the OS add Potassium Bluish white ppt. is formed Zn+2 ion is
Ferrocynaide solution. confirmed

Confirmation tests for Ba+2ion (V group)

S.NO EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE
1. Add K2CrO4 solution to the Yellow ppt. is formed. Ba +2 ion is
OS. confirmed
2. Flame Test: Take a small Apple green flame is observed. Ba+2 ion is
amount of salt in a watch confirmed
glass add conc. HCl to make
a paste that is exposed
 through a glass rod in a non
luminous flame.

Confirmation tests for Sr+2ion (V group)

S.NO EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE
1. Add ammonium sulphate White ppt. is formed. Sr+2 ion is confirmed
solution to the OS.
2. Flame Test: Take a small Crimson red flame is Sr+2 ion is confirmed
amount of salt in a watch glass observed.
add conc. HCl to make a paste
that is exposed through a glass
rod in a non luminous flame.

Confirmation tests for Ca+2ion (V group)

S.NO EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE
1. Add ammonium oxalate White ppt. is formed. Ca+2 ion is confirmed
solution to the OS.
2. Flame Test: Take a small Brick red flame is observed. Ca+2 ion is
amount of salt in a watch glass confirmed
add conc. HCl to make a paste
that is exposed through a glass
rod in a non luminous flame.

Confirmation tests for Mg+2ion (VI group)

S.NO EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE
1. To the OS add magneson Sky blue coloured ppt. or colour Mg +2 ion is
(an alkaline solution of confirmed
p-nitro benzene azo
resorcinol) and excess of
NaOH.
2. ASH Test: Take a salt in Pink Ash is observed Mg+2 ion is
test tube add cobalt confirmed
nitrate solution. Filter
paper dipped in it and
burnt.

Result: The given simple salt contains

(i) Anion: ……………………
(ii) Cation: ………………….
(iii) Sale : .……………………