AIM: To identify a cation and anion in the given sample of salt.
THEORY
Salt analysis is the systematic process of identifying the cation (basic radical) and anion (acid radical) present in an
inorganic salt. The procedure begins with preliminary tests (appearance, solubility, flame test, dry heating),
followed by systematic analysis of anions, where gases or precipitates formed with specific reagents (HCl, AgNO₃,
BaCl₂, etc.) indicate their presence. Next, cations are identified by dividing them into analytical groups based on
solubility in group reagents (HCl, H₂S, NH₄OH, etc.), and then confirmed by characteristic color or precipitate tests.
The analysis depends on precipitation, gas evolution, color changes, and complex formation, and finally,
confirmatory tests establish the exact radicals present.
Salt Analysis Steps
1. Preliminary Tests:
o Colour, smell, solubility, heating effect.
2. Dry Test (Flame Test):
o Different cations give characteristic flame colours (e.g., Na → yellow, K → violet).
3. Wet Test (Confirmatory Tests):
o Cation analysis: Group-wise tests using group reagents (HCl, H₂S, NH₄OH, etc.).
o Anion analysis: Tests like dilute HCl reaction, BaCl₂ test, AgNO₃ test.
4. Confirmatory Test:
o Specific reactions (e.g., brown ring test for NO₃⁻, white ppt. for SO₄²⁻).
TEST FOR ACETATE IONS
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Test Procedure Observation Inference
Preliminary Test (Smell Heat the salt with dilute H₂SO₄ Pungent smell of vinegar (acetic Acetate ions might
Test) and smell cautiously. acid). be present.
Confirmatory Test 1 (Ester Heat salt with dilute H₂SO₄ and Acetate ions
Pleasant fruity smell of ester.
Test) ethanol. confirmed.
Confirmatory Test 2 (Ferric Add neutral FeCl₃ solution to Deep red colour appears Acetate ions
Chloride Test) salt solution. (disappears on adding HCl). confirmed.
(write equations on the blank side)
TEST FOR AMMONIUM IONS
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Test Procedure Observation Inference
Warm the salt with dilute NaOH Ammonia gas evolved,
Preliminary Test (Smell Ammonium ions
solution. Bring a moist red litmus paper turns red litmus blue;
Test) might be present.
near the mouth of the test tube. pungent smell.
Confirmatory Test 1 Add Nessler’s reagent (alkaline solution Brown precipitate or brown Ammonium ions
(Nessler’s Reagent Test) of K₂HgI₄) to the solution of the salt. coloration appears. confirmed.
Confirmatory Test 2 Bring a glass rod dipped in conc. HCl near Dense white fumes of
Ammonium ions
(Glass Rod with HCl the mouth of the test tube containing ammonium chloride
confirmed.
Test) evolved gas. formed.
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TEST FOR LEAD IONS
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Test Procedure Observation Inference
Preliminary Test (Dilute HCl Add dilute HCl to the White precipitate of PbCl₂ is formed Lead ions might
Test) salt solution. (soluble in hot water). be present.
Test Procedure Observation Inference
Bright yellow precipitate of PbI₂ appears
Confirmatory Test 1 Add KI solution to the Lead ions
(soluble in hot water, crystallises on
(Potassium Iodide Test) salt solution. confirmed.
cooling).
Confirmatory Test 2 Add K₂CrO₄ solution to Lead ions
Yellow precipitate of PbCrO₄ formed.
(Potassium Chromate Test) the salt solution. confirmed.
(write equations on the blank side)
Results and conclusion
SALT SAMPLE A contains ammonium cation and acetate anion the salt is ammonium acetate CH3COO NH4.
SALT SAMPLE B contains Lead cation and acetate anion and the salt is lead acetate (CH3COO)2Pb
