Wise Indian Academy Ajman

SCHEME OF SALT ANALYSIS

EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE

PRELIMINARY TEST (a) Coloured Presence of Cu2+ , Co2+, Ni2+, Mn2+ a

S nd Fe3+ salts

(b) Colorless Presence of Pb2+, Al3+,

1. Color
Zn2+,Ba2+,Ca2+, Mg2+, NH4+ salts
The color of the salt
is noted.

(a) Soluble and no precipitate Presence of ammonium ion (NH4+ )

with Na2CO3 solution

2. Solubility Absence of NH4+

(b) Soluble and a precipitate with
(i) A little of the salt is
Na2CO3 solution
treated with water.
Absence of lead (Pb2+)
(a) Soluble
Presence of Pb2+

(b) Insoluble
(ii) Salt is treated with d
il.HCl Presence of Barium (Ba2+)
(a) Light green
Presence of Calcium ( Ca2+)

(b) Brick red Presence of Strontium( Sr2+)

3. Flame test. (c) Crimson red

A paste of the salt in
conc.HCl is introduced in
to the Bunsen flame.
Presence of Al3+

(a) Blue ash

Presence of Zn2+
4. Ash test (b) Green Ash
A little of the test solutio Presence of Mg2+
n is treated with few dro (c) Pink ash
ps of conc.HNO3 and cob
alt nitrate
solution. A filter paper so
aked in this solution is b
urnt to ashes.
TEST FOR ANIONS (a) Brisk effervescence and Presence of Carbonate
(A) IDENTIFYING TESTS evolution of ( CO32-)
colorless,odorless gas which
1. Test with dil. HCl : A little of t turned lime water milky [ The gas evolved is CO2. The milky
he salt is treated with dil.HCl. appearance due to the formation of
insoluble CaCO3]

Absence of CO32-

(b) No characteristic reaction

2. Test with dil. H2SO4 : A little of (a) Smell of vinegar Presence of acetate
the salt was rubbed with dil.sulp (CH3COO-)
huric acid between the fingers in [The smell is due to the form
watch glass. ation of acetic acid]

(b) No smell of vinegar Absence of CH3COO

3. Test with conc. H2SO4 : A little (a) Colorless fuming gas, gi Presence of Cl-
of the salt is warmed with conc.s ving dense white fumes wh [HCl is formed which reacts with
ulphuric acid in a dry test tube. en a glass rod dipped in NH NH4OH, giving white fumes of N
4OH is shown to the mouth H4Cl]
of the test tube.

(b) Colorless fuming gas fol Presence of Br-

lowed by reddish brown va [Bromide gets decomposed first t
pors and solution is turned o colorless HBr . It is then oxidiz
red. ed to reddish brown Br2 by H2SO
4 ]

(c) Colorless fuming gas follo Presence of I-

wed by violet vapors on [iodide gets decomposed first to colo
heating and black residue on t rless HI. It is then oxidized to viole
he cooler parts of the test tube t vapors of I2 by H2SO4]

(d) No characteristic change Absence of Cl-,Br-,I

4. Test with conc. H2SO4 and Pa (a) Thick brown fumes Presence of Nitrate (NO3-)
per ball : A little of the salt is str ( solution doesn't turn red) [HNO3 formed reduced by carbon
ongly heated with conc. H2SO4 a of the paper ball to brown NO2]
nd then a small
paper ball is added to it
Absence of NO3-
(b) No brown fumes

5. Test with Barium chloride: (a) White precipitate Presence of Sulphate (SO42-)
A little of the salt is [The precipitate is barium sulpha
dissolved in dil.HCl and few dro te]
ps of barium chloride solution is
added.
(b) No precipitate Absence of SO42-

6. Test with Ammonium molybd (a) Yellow precipitate or col Presence of phosphate (PO43-)
ate: Heat a little of the salt with oration in the cold or on just [The yellow precipitate is ammoniu
conc.HNO3 and add 2 drops of of warming. m phospho
this molybdate]
solution to excess of
ammonium molybdate sol
ution and warmed. (b) No yellow precipitate Absence of PO43-

CONFIRMATORY TEST FOR ANIONS

1. Carbonate ( CO32-) : A white precipitate is formed Presence CO32- is confirmed

[The precipitate is BaCO3]
(a) Action with BaCl2
solution
A little of BaCl2 solution is add Brisk effervescence and the Presence CO32- is confirmed
ed to the salt solution. [HCl decomposes BaCO3 liberati
precipitate is dissolved
ng CO2 gas]
(b) dil.HCl is added to the abo
ve precipitate.

2. Acetate (CH3COO-) Deep red color Presence of (CH3COO-) confi

(a) Neutral ferric chloride test: To rmed.
a little of the salt solution add ne [The red coloration is due to
utral FeCl3
solution . Pleasant fruity smell ( smell the formation of basic ferric acetate
[add NH4OH in drops to yellow of ester) ]
FeCl3 to a reddish brown solu
tion]

(b) Ethyl acetate test: A little Presence of (CH3COO-) confir

of the salt solution is med.
warmed with few drops of conc. H [The smell is due to formation
2SO4 and 1 ml of ethanol. It is the of ethyl acetate]
n poured in to excess of water.

3. Chloride (Cl-): Greenish yellow gas with Presence of Cl- confirmed.

irritating smell. [The gas is Chlorine]
(a) conc. H2SO4 and MnO2: A littl
e of the salt is heated with conc.
H2SO4 and MnO2 A curdy white precipitate Presence of Cl- confirmed.
[The precipitate is AgCl]
(b) Silver nitrate solution:
AgNO3 solution is added to the sa
lt solution containing dil.HNO3.

4. Bromide (Br-): Reddish brown vapors and d Presence of Br- confirmed.

ark brown liquid on the coole [Bromine (vapors and liquid) is e
(a) conc. H2SO4 and MnO2: A littl r part of the test tube volved]
e of the salt is heated with conc.
H2SO4 and MnO2
A pale yellow precipitate Presence of Br- confirmed.
[ The precipitate is AgBr]
(b) Silver nitrate solution:
AgNO3 solution is added to the s
alt solution containing dil.HNO3.

5. Nitrate (NO3-): Brown ring at the junction of t Presence of (NO3-) is

wo layers confirmed
(a) Brown ring test: A little of the [The brown ring is due to the format
salt solution is mixed with freshl ion of complex
y prepared nitroso
ferrous sulphate solution. Conc.s ferrous sulphate (FeSO4 NO)]
ulphuric acid is then added throu
gh the sides of the test tube with
out
shaking.

(b) Reduction test: A little of the s Colorless gas with the smell Presence of (NO3-) is
alt solution is heated with zinc du of ammonia. Dense white fu confirmed
st ( or mes with conc.HCl [The gas is ammonia. Nascent
aluminum powder) and sodium hydrogen from Zinc and NaOH reduc
hydroxide solution. es nitrate to ammonia]
6. Sulphate (SO42-) : A white precipitate is formed Presence of (SO42-) confirmed
(a) Lead acetate solution: Lea [The precipitate is PbSO4]
d acetate solution is added to t
he salt solution
The precipitate is dissolved Presence of (SO42-) confirmed
(b) Ammonium acetate is add [PbSO4 is soluble in
ammonium acetate due to the
ed to the above
formation of soluble lead acetate]
precipitated and heated

TEST FOR CATIONS

1. ANALYSIS OF GROUP 0: No precipitate Presence of group 0,

NH4+ Ammonium NH4+
(a) To a little of the salt solution, [Ammonium carbonate is solubl
Na2CO3 solution is added e in water]

2. ANALYSIS OF GROUP I:
Pb2+ White precipitate soluble in Presence of group I, lead (Pb2+)
(b) Dilute hydrochloric acid adde hot water and appears on co [The precipitate is lead chlori
d to the salt solution. A portion of oling. de]
the precipitate is boiled with wat
er.

3. ANALYSIS OF GROUP II: Presence of group II, copper Cu2+

Cu2+ Black precipitate [The precipitate is either CuS]
(c) Hydrogen sulphide is passed
through the salt solution contai
ning dil.HCl
Presence of group III,
Aluminum Al3+
4. ANALYSIS OF GROUP III: [The precipitate is aluminum
Al3+ White gelatinous precipitate hydroxide]
(d) NH4Cl and NH4OH are add
ed to a little of the salt solution
.
5. ANALYSIS OF GROUP IV: A dirty white precipitate Presence of group IV, Zinc Zn2+
Zn2+ [The precipitate is zinc sulphi
(e) Hydrogen sulphide is passed de]
through the salt solution contai
ning NH4Cl and NH4OH

6. ANALYSIS OF GROUP V: Presence of group V, Calcium

Ba2+ / Ca2+ White precipitate / Barium (Ba2+ / Ca2+ )
(f) NH4Cl,NH4OH and
(NH4)2CO3 are added to a littl
e of the solution

7. ANALYSIS OF GROUP VI:

Presence of group VI,
Mg2+
White crystalline precipitate Magnesium Mg2+
(g) Di sodium hydrogen phosphat
[The precipitate is
e is added to the salt solution con
magnesium ammonium phosp
taining NH4Cl,NH4OH and (NH4
hate]
)2CO3

CONFIRMATORY TEST FOR CATIONS

1. NH4+ Pungent smelling colorless Presence of NH4+ is

gas is evolved which confirmed.
(a) A little of the salt is heated w produces dense white fumes [It is due to the liberation of ammon
ith NaOH solution. Bring a glass with conc.HCl ia which reacts with HCl producing
rod dipped in conc.HCl near to th dense white fumes of NH4Cl
e mouth of the test tube
Presence of NH4+ is confirmed
Yellow or Brown precipitate [The precipitate is basic mercuric iodi
(a) A little of the salt solution de(Iodide of Million’s base)
is made alkaline with NaOH solut
ion and Nessler’s
reagent.

2. Pb2+ Yellow precipitate Presence of Pb2+ is confirmed

[The precipitate is lead iodide]
(a) A little KI solution is adde
d to the salt solution Presence of Pb2+ is confirmed
Yellow precipitate [ The precipitate is lead chromate]

(b) Acetic acid and

potassium chromate
solutions are added to the

salt solution
3. Al3+ A white gelatinous Presence of Al3+ is confirmed
precipitate is first formed w [The precipitate iszs
(a) Sodium hydroxide hich dissolves in excess of N aluminum hydroxide, it dissolves in
solution is added in drops to exce aOH solution excess of NaOH, forming sodium alu
ss to a little of the salt solution. minate]

Blue ash Presence of Al3+ is confirmed

(b) Ash test [Mixed oxides of cobalt and aluminu
m are formed]

4. Zn2+ A white precipitate soluble in Presence of Zn2+ is confirmed

excess of the reagent is forme [The precipitate is zinc hydroxide. It
(a) Sodium hydroxide d reacts with NaOH forming soluble
solution is added to the salt sol sodium zincate
ution in drops to excess

Presence of Zn2+ is confirmed

Green ash [Mixed oxides of cobalt and zinc are f
ormed]
(b) Ash test

5. Ba2+ Yellow precipitate Presence of Ba2+ is confirmed

[The precipitate is barium chromate]
(a) Acetic acid and
potassium chromate
solutions are added to the salt Presence of Ba2+ is confirmed
solution. Apple green color

(b) Flame test

Presence of Ca2+ is confirmed

Ca2+ White precipitate [The precipitate is calcium oxalate]

(a) Ammonium hydroxide and

Ammonium oxalate solutions Presence of Ca2+ is confirmed
are added to the salt solution
Brick red color
(b) Flame test

6. Mg2+ A blue precipitate Presence of Mg2+ Confirmed

[Magnesium hydroxide formed
(a) To a little of the solution, f adsorbs dye to yield a blue pr
ew drops of Magneson reagen ecipitate]
t followed by excess of
sodium hydroxide solution. A yellow precipitate Presence of Mg2+ Confirmed
[ The precipitate is
(b) To a little of salt solution magnesium oxinate]
NH4Cl and excess of NH4OH
are added followed by oxine r
eagent.