St.

Xavier's Higher Secondary School - Mirzapur

INORGANIC QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS (SALT ANALYSIS)
Aim: To detect the positive and negative ions present in the given inorganic salt by qualitative analysis.
Apparatus Required: Test-tubes, Test-tube stand, Test-tube holder, Platinum wire.
(A) Dry tests of inorganic salt :
Sl. No. Test Observation Inference
1. Colour Yellow or Brown Fe3+ may be present
Blue Cu2+ may be present
Bright green Ni2+ may be present
Blue or Red or Violet or Pink Co2+ may be present
Light pink Mn2+ may be present
White Fe3+, Cu2+, Ni2+, Co2+, Mn2+
absent
2. Smell Smell of ammonia NH4+ may be present
Vinegar-like smell 𝑪𝑯𝟑 𝑪𝑶𝑶− may be present

3. Heated 0.5 g of salt

in a dry test tube
No characteristic smell
White residue
Yellow residue

p u r
NH4+, 𝑪𝑯𝟑 𝑪𝑶𝑶− absent
Cu2+ may be present
Zn2+ may be present

a
Blue residue Co2+ may be present

rz
No characteristic residue Cu2+,Zn2+, Co2+ absent
4. Flame test Bluish-green flame Cu2+ may be present
(Make a paste of salt in conc. HCl on
a watch glass. Dip the loop of
platinum wire in this paste and heat
Crimson red flame
Apple green flame
Brick red flame

M i Sr2+ may be present

Ba2+ may be present
Ca2+ may be present

s
it in the oxidizing flame of Bunsen No characteristic flame Cu2+, Sr2+, Ba2+, Ca2+ absent

5.
burner)
Borax bead test

er '
Green flame Cu2+ may be present
Ni2+ may be present

i
Violet flame
Light violet flame Mn2+ may be present

a v Yellowish brown flame

No characteristic flame
Fe3+ may be present
Cu2+, Ni2+, Mn2+, Fe3+ absent

X
6. Charcoal cavity test Yellow residue when hot and grey metal Pb2+ may be present

t.
when cold
Yellow residue when hot and white when Zn2+ may be present

S
cold
No characteristic residue Pb2+, Zn2+ absent
7. Cobalt Nitrate test Green residue Zn2+ may be present
Pink residue Mg2+ may be present
Blue residue Al3+ may be present
No characteristic residue Zn2+, Mg2+, Al3+ absent

(B) Tests for detection of anion :

Sl. No. Test Observation Inference
1. 0.1 g salt + dilute H2SO4 Colourless, odourless gas with brisk Group 1 (CO32-) may be present
effervescence
No characteristic odour or vapour Group 1 absent
2. 0.1 g salt + 1 ml. conc. H2SO4 on Colourless gas with coughing smell Group 2 (𝑪𝒍−) may be present
heating Reddish brown gas Group 2 (𝑩𝒓−) may be present
 Violet vapours Group 2 (𝑰−) may be present
Brown gas Group 2 (𝑵𝑶𝟑 −) may be present
Colourless, odourless gas with brisk Group 2 (𝑪𝟐 𝑶𝟒 𝟐−) may be present
effervescence
Colourless gas with vinegar-like smell Group 2 (𝑪𝑯𝟑 𝑪𝑶𝑶−) may be present
No characteristic odour or vapour Group 2 absent

3. Water extract or acidified White ppt. insoluble in dil. HNO3 𝑺𝑶𝟐−

𝟒 may be present
sodium carbonate extract by No ppt. 𝑺𝑶𝟐−
𝟒 absent
dilute HCl + BaCl2
4. Water extract of salt or sodium White ppt. 𝑺𝑶𝟐−
𝟒 may be present
Carbonate extract + acetic acid No ppt. 𝑺𝑶𝟐−
𝟒 absent
(till solution becomes acidic) +
Lead acetate
5. Water extract or sodium Canary yellow ppt. 𝑷𝑶𝟑−

r
𝟒 may be present
Carbonate extract + No ppt. 𝑷𝑶𝟑−
𝟒 absent
concentrated HNO3 +
ammonium molybdate

a p u
rz
(C) Confirmatory tests of anion:
Sl. No. Test
1.
2.
Salt + dil. H2SO4
Salt + dil. HCl
(D) CO32- + H2SO4 → SO42- + H2O + CO2 ↑
Observation
Brisk effervescence of CO2
Brisk effervescence of CO2

M i Inference
CO32- confirmed
CO32- confirmed

CO32- + 2HCl → 2 𝑪𝒍− + H2O + CO2 ↑

er ' s
i
Sl. No. Test Observation Inference
Salt + MnO2 + Conc. H2SO4 (∆) Greenish yellow chlorine gas evolved 𝑪𝒍− confirmed

v
1.
2. O.S. + AgNO3 Curdy white ppts. soluble in NH4OH 𝑪𝒍− confirmed
−

X
𝑪𝒍− + Ag+ → AgCl ↓
2-

a
(D) 𝟐𝑪𝒍 + MnO2 + 2H2SO4 → SO4 + MnSO4 + 2H2O + Cl2 ↑

t.
AgCl + 2NH4OH → *Ag(NH3)2]Cl + 2H2O

Sl. No. Test

1.
2. S Observation
Salt + MnO2 + Conc. H2SO4 (∆) Reddish brown fumes are evolved
O.S. + AgNO3 Pale yellow ppts. soluble in NH4OH
with difficulty
(D) 𝟐𝑩𝒓− + MnO2 + 2H2SO4 → SO42- + MnSO4 + 2H2O + Br2 ↑
Inference
𝑩𝒓− confirmed
𝑩𝒓− confirmed

𝑩𝒓− + Ag+ → AgBr ↓

Sl. No. Test Observation Inference

1. Salt + MnO2 + Conc. H2SO4 (∆) Violet vapours are evolved 𝑰− confirmed
2. O.S. + AgNO3 Yellow ppts. insoluble in NH4OH 𝑰− confirmed
(D) 𝟐𝑰− + MnO2 + 2H2SO4 → SO42- + MnSO4 + 2H2O + I2 ↑
𝑰− + Ag+ → Ag𝑰 ↓
Sl. No. Test Observation Inference
1. O.S. + Cu chips + Conc. H2SO4 (∆) Intense brown fumes are evolved 𝑵𝑶− 𝟑 confirmed
2. O.S. + fresh FeSO4 solution + Dark brown ring at the junction 𝑵𝑶− 𝟑 confirmed
Conc. H2SO4 from side walls of of the two solutions
Test-tube.
(D) 𝑵𝑶− 𝟑 + Cu + H2SO4 → CuSO4 + H2O + NO2 ↑
𝑵𝑶− 2+ + 3+
𝟑 + 3Fe + 4H → NO + 3Fe + 2H2O
[Fe(H2O)6]2+ + NO → [Fe(H2O)5 NO]2+ + H2O

Sl. No. Test Observation Inference

1. O.S. + CaCl2 White ppt. 𝑪𝟐 𝑶𝟐−
𝟒 may be present
2. O.S. + dil. H2SO4 + dil. KMnO4 (∆) Pink colour of KMnO4 solution is discharged 𝑪𝟐 𝑶𝟐−
𝟒 may be present
(D) Ca2+ + C2O42- → CaC2O4 ↓
2𝑴𝒏𝑶− 2- + 2+
𝟒 + 5C2O4 + 16 H → 2Mn + 10 CO2 + 8H2O

Sl. No. Test

1.
Observation
Salt + conc. H2SO4 (∆) + few drops of ethanol Fruity odour
Inference

p
𝑪𝑯𝟑 𝑪𝑶𝑶− confirmed
u r
2. O.S. + neutral FeCl3

𝑯+
Deep red coloured solution
turning to brown ppt. on boiling.

rz a
𝑪𝑯𝟑 𝑪𝑶𝑶− confirmed

(D) CH3COOH + C2H5OH CH3COOC2H5 + H2O

Fe3+ + 𝟑𝑪𝑯𝟑 𝑪𝑶𝑶− → (CH3COO)3 Fe
(CH3COO)3 Fe + 2H2O → *Fe(CH3COO)(OH)2+ ↓ + 2CH3COOH

M i
Sl. No. Test
1. O.S. + BaCl2
Observation

er ' s Inference
White ppt. insoluble in dil. HNO3 𝑺𝑶𝟐−
𝟒 confirmed
2.
2-
O.S. + Pb(CH3COO)2 White ppt.
2+
(D) SO4 + Ba → BaSO4↓
SO42- + Pb2+ → PbSO4↓

a v i 𝑺𝑶𝟐−
𝟒 confirmed

Sl. No. Test

1.

t. X Observation Inference
O.S. + conc. HNO3 + ammonium Canary yellow ppt. 𝑷𝑶𝟑− 𝟒 confirmed

S
molybdate (NH4)2MoO4
2. O.S. + Co(NO3)2 Violet ppt. 𝑷𝑶𝟑−𝟒 confirmed
3- +
(D) PO4 + 3H → H3PO4
H3PO4 + 12(NH4)2MoO4 + 21HNO3 → (NH4)3PO4.12MoO3 ↓ + 21 NH4NO3 + 12H2O
2PO43- + 3Co2+ → Co3(PO4)2 ↓

(E) Group tests for detection of cation:

Preparation of original solution : Original solution (O.S.) = salt + water (Solvent)
Sl. No. Test Observation Inference
1. Salt + dilute NaOH solution(∆) Smell of ammonia(NH3) Group 0 (NH4+) may be present
2. O.S. + dilute HCl White ppt. Group 1 (Pb2+) may be present
3. O.S. + dilute HCl +H2S Black ppt. Group 2 (Cu2+) may be present
4. O.S. + NH4Cl + excess NH4OH Gelatinous white ppt. Group 3 (Al3+) may be present
Brown ppt. Group 3 (Fe3+) may be present
 5. O.S. + NH4Cl + excess NH4OH +H2S Black ppt. Group 4 (Co2+ or Ni2+) may be present
Light pink ppt. Group 4 (Mn2+) may be present
White ppt. Group 4 (Zn2+) may be present
6. O.S. + NH4Cl + excess NH4OH + (NH4)2CO3 White ppt. Group 5 (Ba2+ or Ca2+ or Sr2+) may be present
7. O.S. + NH4Cl + excess NH4OH + Na2HPO4 White ppt. Group 6 (Mg2+) may be present

(F) Analysis of group 4 or 5 cations:

[Note: Table “F” should be written only if black ppts. are obtained in group 4 or group 5 is present, otherwise put dash)
Test Observation Inference
For group 4 (black ppts.) O.S. + NaOH Light green ppt. Ni2+ may be present
Blue ppt. Co2+ may be present
For group 5 cations Flame test Apple green flame Ba2+ may be present
Brick red flame Ca2+ may be present
Crimson red flame Sr2+ may be present

(G) Confirmatory tests of cation :

Sl. No. Test Observation Inference

p u r
1.
2.
+
O.S. + NaOH (∆) Smell of NH3 NH4+ Confirmed
O.S. + Nessler’s reagent Brown ppt.
+
(H) NH4 + NaOH → Na + NH3 ↓ + H2O
NH4+ Confirmed

rz a
2K2Hg𝑰𝟒 + NH3 + 3KOH → NH2.HgO.Hg𝑰 ↓ + 7K𝑰 + 2H2O
(Preparation of Nessler’s reagent :

M i
Take little amount of HgCl2. Add K𝑰 (till scarlet red ppt. disappear). Add double volume of NaOH)

Sl. No. Test Observation Inference

Yellow ppt. Pb2+ confirmed

er ' s
i
1. O.S. + K𝑰
2. O.S. + K2CrO4 Yellow ppt. Pb2+ confirmed
(H) Pb + 2 𝑰− → Pb𝑰2 ↓
2+

Pb2+ + CrO42- → PbCrO4 ↓

a v
Sl. No. Test
1.

t. X
O.S. + NH4OH(excess)
Observation Inference
Deep blue solution Cu2+ confirmed
2.

S
O.S. + potassium ferrocyanide Brown ppt.
K4[Fe(CN)6]
(H) Cu2+ + 4NH4OH → *Cu(NH3)4]2+ + 4H2O
2Cu2+ + [Fe(CN)6]4- → Cu2[Fe(CN)6] ↓
Cu2+ confirmed

Sl. No. Test Observation Inference

1. O.S. + NaOH White ppt. Al3+ confirmed
2. O.S. + blue litmus solution Blue ppt. Al3+ confirmed
+ NH4OH drop by drop along
the sides of the test tube
(Lake test)
(H) Al3+ + 3𝑶𝑯− → Al(OH)3 ↓
Sl. No. Test Observation Inference
1. O.S. + potassium thiocyanate Blood red colour Fe3+ confirmed
(potassium sulphocyanide) KSCN
2. O.S. + potassium ferrocyanide Prussian blue ppt. Fe3+ confirmed
K4[Fe(CN)6]
−
(H) Fe + 𝑺𝑪𝑵 → [Fe(SCN)]2+
3+

4 Fe3+ + [Fe(CN)6]3- → Fe4[Fe(CN)6]3 ↓

Sl. No. Test Observation Inference

1. O.S. + Dimethyl glyoxime (DMG) Red rose ppt. Ni2+ confirmed
2. O.S. + NaOH Light green ppt. Ni2+ confirmed
OH O

H3C – C = N − OH H3C – C = N N = C – CH3

(H) NiCl2 + 2NH4OH + 2
H3C – C = N – OH
→
H3C – C = N
Ni
N = C – CH3
+ 2NH4Cl + 2H2O

p u r
−
Ni + 2 𝑶𝑯 → Ni(OH)2 ↓
2+
O OH

rz a
Sl. No. Test
1. O.S. + NaOH
Observation
Blue ppt.
Inference

M i
Co2+ confirmed
O.S. + ammonium thiocyanate (NH4SCN) Blue etherial layer Co2+ confirmed

s
2.
+ ether
(H) Co2+ + 2 𝑶𝑯− → Co(OH)2 ↓

er '
i
Co2+ + 4 𝑺𝑪𝑵− → [Co(SCN)4]2-

Sl. No. Test

1. O.S. + NaOH
a v Observation
White ppt.
Inference
Zn2+ confirmed
2.

t. X
O.S. + potassium ferrocyanide
K4[Fe(CN)6]
(H) Zn + 2 𝑶𝑯 → Zn(OH)2 ↓
2+
Bluish white ppt. /
Yellowish white ppt.
Zn2+ confirmed

Sl. No. Test

1.
2.
S
2Zn2+ + [Fe(CN)6]4- → Zn2[Fe(CN)6] ↓

O.S. + NaOH
Observation Inference
Light pink ppt. Mn2+ confirmed
O.S. + potassium ferricyanide Brown ppt. Mn2+ confirmed
K3[Fe(CN)6]
(H) Mn2+ + 2 𝑶𝑯− → Mn(OH)2 ↓
3Mn2+ + 2[Fe(CN)6]3- → Mn3[Fe(CN)6]2 ↓

Sl. No. Test Observation Inference

1. Flame test Apple green flame Ba2+ confirmed
2. O.S. + K2CrO4 Yellow ppt. Ba2+ confirmed
2+ 2-
(H) Ba + CrO4 →BaCrO4 ↓
Sl. No. Test Observation Inference
1. Flame test Brick red flame Ca2+ confirmed
2. O.S. + Ammonium oxalate White ppt. Ca2+ confirmed
(NH4)2C2O4
(H) Ca2+ + C2O42- → CaC2O4 ↓

Sl. No. Test Observation Inference

1. Flame test Crimson red flame Sr2+ confirmed
2. O.S. + ammonium sulphate White ppt. Sr2+ confirmed
(NH4)2SO4
2+ 2-
(H) Sr + SO4 → SrSO4 ↓

Sl. No. Test Observation Inference

1. O.S. + Na2HPO4 White ppt. Mg2+ confirmed
2. O.S. + (NH4)3PO4 White ppt.
(H) 3Mg2+ + 2PO43- → Mg3(PO4)2 ↓
Mg2+ confirmed

p u r
(𝑰) Result table :

rz a
Cation of inorganic salt and its name Anion of inorganic salt and its name Molecular formula and name of inorganic salt

M i
er ' s
a v i
t. X
S