INORGANIC SALT ANALYSIS

ACID RADICALS/ANIONS : CO32- , NO3- , SO42- , Cl- , Br- , CH3COO- , PO43-

BASIC RADICALS/CATIONS : NH4+ , Pb2+ , Cu2+ , Al3+ , Fe3+ , Zn2+ , Co2+ , Ni2+ , Ca2+
, Ba2+ , Sr2+ , Mg2+

SYSTEMATIC NALYSIS OF THE GIVEN SIMPLE SALT

INORGANIC SALT ANALYSIS

EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE

1. Colour and appearance of the Colourless and crystalline Absence of cobalt ,iron,
salt are noted. and copper salts

Blue or green May be copper salts

Brown May be ferric salt

Pink May be cobalt salt
Bright green May be nickel salt

2. Dilute sulphuric acid test:

Take 0.1gm of salt in a test tube A colourless odourless gas Pressence of Carbonate
and add 1-2 ml of dil sulphuric evolves with brisk
acid to it .If no change is effervescence,which turns lime
observed at room temperature water milky.
then heat the contents gently
and observe

Colourless vapours with smell Presence of acetate

of vinegar.Vapour turns blue
litmus red.

No characteristic change is Absence of carbonate

observed and acetate
3. Con.sulphuric acid test:

Take 0.1gm of salt in a test tube Colourless gas with pungent smell presence of chloride
and add 3-4 drops of which gives dense white fumes
con.sulphuric acid to it .If no when a glass rod dipped in
change is observed at room ammonium hydroxide is brought
temperature then heat the near the mouth of the test tube.
contents gently and observe

Reddish brown gas with pungent Presence of bromide.

smell evolves and solution turns
red in colour

Brown fumes evolve which Presence of nitrate

becomes dense on heating with
copper turnings

No characteristic change is Absence of chloride,

observed bromide and nitrate

4. Barium chloride test:

Take 1ml of salt solution in White precipitate insoluble in Presence of sulphate is

water (water extract),acidify Con. HCl is formed. confirmed
by adding dil HCl and then
add BaCl2 solution

White precipitate soluble in Con. Presence of carbonate

HCl is obtained.

No characteristic change is Absence of sulphate

observed and carbonate

5. Ammonium molybdate test:

To 1ml of the salt solution add a A canary yellow precipitate is Presence of

few drops of Con.HNO3 to formed phosphate is
acidify and then add confirmed
ammonium molybdate solution
and boil the mixture
 No characteristic change is Absence of phosphate
observed

6. Action of heat :

Take 0.1 of salt in a clean Salt turns yellow when hot and May be zinc salt
and dry test tube and heat it white when cold
for about a minute

Decripitation occurs. Brown May be Lead nitrate

fumes evolve.

Colourless pungent smelling gas Presence of ammonium

which will give dense white
fumes when a glass rod dipped in
Con. HCl is introduced into the
test tube

Colourless odourless gas Presence of Carbonate

turning lime water milky

Blue when hot and pink when

May be cobalt salt
cold

No characteristic change is Absence of

observed Zn2+,NH4+,Co2+
CO3-2 and Pb(NO3)2

7. Flame test :

Take a small amount of the salt Bluish green/Bright green Presence of Cu2+
in a watch glass and make a coloured flame
paste of it with Con. HCl.
Introduce the paste in to the Presence of Ca2+
flame using a glass rod. Brick red coloured flame

Crimson red coloured flame Presence of Sr2+

Grassy green coloured flame Presence of Ba2+

 No characteristic coloured Absence of
flame is observed Ca+2,Ba+2 and Sr+2

8. Ash test :

Take a small amount of the salt Blue ash Presence of Al3+

in a watch glass and add 1-2
drops of Con.HNO3 and a few
drops of cobalt nitrate solution.
Soak a piece of filter paper in
this mixture and burn it.

Green ash Presence of Zn2+

Pink/white ash Presence of Mg2+

No characteristic coloured Absence of Al+3 ,

ash is formed Zn+2 and Mg+2

9. NaOH test:

Take 0.1gm of the salt in a test Colourless pungent smelling gas Presence of NH4+
tube and add 2ml of NaOH which will give dense white
solution. Heat the contents. fumes when a glass rod dipped in
Con. HCl is introduced into the
test tube

No pungent smelling gas Absence of NH4+

10. KMnO4 test :

To a small amount of the Pink colour gets decolourised Presence of Fe2+,Br- or Cl -

salt solution add 1-2 drops
of KMnO4 solution

No decolourisation Absence of Fe+2 , Br- or Cl

-
PREPARATION OF SODIUM CARBONATE EXTRACT: Take a small amount of salt in a
boiling tube and add twice the amount of sodium carbonate followed by 10-15ml of distilled
water. Boil the contents well, cool and filter. The filtrate is called sodium carbonate extract.

[Note : This extract is prepared to confirm the presence of chloride, bromide , sulphate and
nitrate salts]

CONFIRMATORY TESTS FOR ACID RADICALS

CHLORIDE:

1. Silver nitrate test

Take 1ml of sodium carbonate A curdy white precipitate Presence of chloride is

extract in a test tube, acidify it soluble in ammonium confirmed
with dil nitric acid and add hydroxide solution is formed
few drops of silver nitrate
solution

2. Chromyl chloride test

Take 0.1g of salt in a test tube A yellow precipitate is formed Presence of chloride is
and add a pinch of solid confirmed
K2Cr2O7 and a few drops of
Con.H2SO4 and heat. Pass the
gas evolved through NaOH
solution. To the yellow
solution obtained add a few
drops of acetic acid and lead
acetate solution

BROMIDE

1. Silver nitrate test

Take 1ml of sodium carbonate Pale yellow precipitate Presence of bromide is

extract in a test tube, acidify it partially soluble in confirmed
with dil nitric acid and add ammonium hydroxide is
few drops of silver nitrate formed
solution
2. Manganese di oxide test

Take 0.1gm of salt in a test tube Reddish brown fumes are formed Presence of bromide is
add a pinch of MnO2 and 3-4 confirmed
drops of Con.H2SO4 .Heat the
contents.

SULPHATE

1. Lead acetate test

Take a small amount of the White precipitate is formed Presence of sulphate is

sodium carbonate extract in a which is soluble in excess of confirmed
test tube acidify with dil acetic hot ammonium acetate
acid and then add 2ml of lead
acetate solution.

2. Barium chloride test

Take a small amount of the White precipitate is formed Presence of sulphate is

sodium carbonate extract in a which is insoluble in Con.HCl confirmed
test tube acidify with dil HCl
and then add 2ml of barium
chloride solution.

PHOSPHATE

1. Ammonium molybdate test

Take 1ml of salt solution and Canary yellow precipitate is Presence of

add Con HNO3 followed by formed phosphate is
ammonium molybdate confirmed
solution. Boil this mixture

NITRATE

1. Copper turnings test

Take 0.1gm of salt in a test Excess of brown fumes evolves Presence of nitrate is
tube, add a few copper confirmed
turnings/small paper pellet,
Con. H2SO4 and heat the
contents

2. Brown ring test

Take 2ml of sodium A brown ring is formed at the Presence of nitrate is

carbonate extract in a test junction of the two layers. confirmed
tube and acidify using dil
H2SO4.Add freshly
prepared FeSO4 solution
and then add Con.H2SO4
along the sides of the test
tube in drops.

CARBONATE

1. Dilute HCl test

Take 0.1gm of salt in a test tube Colourless odourless gas with Presence of
and add dil HCl to it brisk effervescence turning carbonate is
lime water milky confirmed

2. Barium chloride test

Take 0.1gm of salt in a test tube A white precipitate soluble in Presence of

and add dil HCl to it followed carbonate is
Con. HCl
by barium chloride solution confirmed

ACETATE

1. Ester test

Take 0.1gm of salt in a test tube Fruity odour due to formation of Presence of acetate is
and add 1ml of ethanol and 2-3 ethyl acetate confirmed
drops of Con. H2SO4
2. Take 0.1gm of salt in a test Deep red colouration appears Presence of acetate is
tube, dissolve it in distilled confirmed
water and add 1-2ml neutral
FeCl3 solution and divide it
into two portions

To one part add dil HCl Reddish colour disappears

Other part is boiled Brown precipitate is formed Presence of acetate is

confirmed

3. Oxalic acid test

To 0.1gm of salt add a pinch of Smells like vinegar Presence of acetate is

oxalic acid crystals and a few confirmed
drops of water. Rub the paste
and smell.

ANALYSIS OF CATIONS

Preparation of original solution: Take a small amount of salt in a test tube and dissolve it in
10ml of distilled water

GROUP SEPARATION

1. Take a small amount of the A brown precipitate is formed Presence of zero group
original solution in a test tube NH4+
and add a few drops of
sodium

hydroxide solution and then

add 1ml of Nessler's
reagent

No brown precipitate Absence of zero group

NH4+

2. Take a small amount of the White precipitate is formed Presence of group I Pb2+
original solution in a test tube
and add 1ml of dil HCl

No white precipitate Absence of zero group

Pb+2

3. Through the above solution Black precipitate is formed Presence of group II Cu2+
pass H2S gas

No black precipitate Absence of group II Cu2+

4. Take a small amount of Gelatinous white precipitate is Presence of group III Al3+
original solution in a test tube formed
and add 1ml NH4Cl and
2mlof NH4OH

A brown precipitate is formed Presence of group III

Fe3+

No characteristic coloured Absence of group III

precipitate Al3+ and Fe3+

5. Through the above solution Dirty white precipitate is formed Presence of group IV
pass H2S gas Zn2+

Black precipitate is formed

Presence of group IV
Ni2+ or Co2+

No dirty white or black Absence of group IV

precipitate Zn2+, Ni2+ or Co2+

6. Take a small amount of the White precipitate is formed Presence of group V

extract in a test tube and add Ca2+ ,Ba2+ or Sr2+
1ml NH4Cl,2ml NH4OH and
2ml of ammonium carbonate
( NH4 )2 CO3

No white precipitate Absence of group V

Ca2+ ,Ba2+ or Sr2+
7. To the above solution add A white precipitate is formed Presence of group VI
disodium hydrogen phosphate Mg2+
(Na2HPO4)solution and the
inner walls of the test tube is
scratched with a glass rod.

No white precipitate Absence of group VI

Mg2+

CONFIRMATORY TESTS FOR BASIC RADICALS

AMMONIUM NH4+

1. NaOH test :

Take 0.1gm of salt in a test tube Colourless pungent smelling gas Presence of ammonium
and add 2ml of NaOH solution. evolves which gives dense white ion is confirmed
Heat the contents fumes when a glass rod dipped in
con.HCl is introduced into the test
tube

2. Nessler's reagent test:

To a small amount of the A brown precipitate is obtained Presence of

original solution add a few ammonium is
drops of NaOH followed by confirmed
Nessler's reagent

LEAD Pb2+

Dissolve the white precipitate obtained in first group analysis in hot water and divide it into two
parts

1. To one part add KI solution. Yellow precipitate is obtained Presence of lead ion is
which is soluble in boiling water confirmed
and reappears as golden yellow
spangles on cooling.
2. To the other part add Yellow precipitate is formed Presence of lead ion is
Potassium chromate K2CrO4 confirmed
solution.

COPPER Cu2+

The black precipitate obtained in II group analysis is boiled with dil. HNO3.

1. To one part add a small A blue precipitate is formed Presence of copper

amount of NH4OH solution which dissolves in excess of ion is confirmed
NH4OH to give a deep blue
solution

2. To the blue solution add Chocolate brown precipitate is Presence of copper

few drops of acetic acid and formed ion is confirmed
potassium ferro cyanide
solution.

ALUMINIUM Al3+

Dissolve the white precipitate obtained in III group in dil. HCl and divide it into two parts

1. To one part of the solution A white gelatinous precipitate is Presence of Aluminium

add NaOH solution and formed which is soluble in excess ion is confirmed
warm of NaOH

2. To the other part of the A blue floating mass in the Presence of Aluminium
solution add blue litmus colourless solution is obtained ion is confirmed
solution and then NH4OH in
drops along the sides of the
test tube.

FERRIC Fe3+

Dissolve the brown precipitate obtained in III group analysis in dil.HCl and divide the solution in
to two parts.

1. To the first part add A blue precipitate / colouration Presence of ferric ion is
Potassium ferrocyanide appears confirmed
solution .
2. To the second part add A blood red colouration is Presence of ferric ion is
Potassium thiocyanate solution obtained confirmed
is added.

ZINC Zn2+

Dissolve the dirty white precipitate obtained in IV group analysis in dil HCl by boiling and divide
into two parts

1. To one part add NaOH A White precipitate soluble in Presence of zinc ions is
solution excess of NaOH is formed. confirmed

2. To the second part of the A bluish white precipitate is Presence of zinc ions is
solution add NH4OH and formed confirmed
Potassium ferrocyanide
solution is added

BARIUM Ba2+

Dissolve the white precipitate obtained in group V analysis by boiling with dil acetic acid

1.To the solution add Yellow precipitate is formed Presence of barium

1ml of potassium ion is confirmed
chromate solution.

2. Flame test :

Take 0.1gm of salt in a watch A grassy green flame is observed Presence of barium
glass and make a paste of it ion is confirmed
using Con. HCl. Introduce
the paste into the flame using
a glass rod.

CALCIUM Ca2+

Dissolve the white precipitate obtained in group V analysis by boiling with dil. Acetic acid

1. To the solution add A white precipitate is formed Presence of calcium

ammonium oxalate solution ion is confirmed
and shake well
2. Flame test :

Take 0.1 gm of salt in a watch A brick red coloured flame is Presence of calcium
glass and make a paste of it observed ion is confirmed
using Con.HCl. .Introduce the
paste into the flame using a
glass rod.

STRONTIUM Sr2+

Dissolve the white precipitate obtained in group V analysis by boiling with dil.acetic acid

1. To the solution add A white precipitate is formed Presence of strontium

ammonium sulphate solution ion is confirmed
,heat and scratch the sides of
the test tube using a glass rod

2. Flame test :

Take 0.1gm of salt in a watch A crimson red flame is observed Presence of strontium
glass and make a paste of it ion is confirmed
using Con. HCl. Introduce
this paste into the flame using
a glass rod.

MAGNESIUM Mg2+

1. To 1ml of the original A blue solution is formed Presence of magnesium

solution add a few drops of ion is confirmed
Magneson reagent and
sodium hydroxide.

NICKEL Ni 2+

To the original solution add a Brilliant red precipitate is formed Presence of Ni2+ is
few drops of dimethyl glyoxime confirmed
is added followed by a few
drops of NH4OH .
RESULT :

The acid radical present in the given simple salt is …….

The basic radical present in the given simple salt is …….

Therefore the given simple salt is …….