Systematic Analysis of given simple salt

S.No EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE

1. Colour: The colour of the Blue/Bluish green Cupric (Cu2+)
salt is noted. Pale green/Yellowish Green Ferrous (Fe2+)
Reddish Brown Ferric (Fe3+)
Pale Pink Manganese (Mn2+)
Red Cobalt (Co2+)
Green Nickel (Ni2+)
White/Colourless Absence of Mn2+, Fe3+,
Fe2+, Cu2+, Co2+, Ni2+

2. Action of heat: A pinch of White salt turns yellow May be Zinc (Zn2+)
salt is strongly heated in a Blue salt turns white May be Cupric (Cu2+)
dry test tube. Green salt turns yellow/white May be Nickel (Ni2+)
Colourless gas that turns lime May be Carbonate (CO32-)
water milky
Reddish brown vapours May be Nitrate (NO3−)
Violet vapours May be Iodide (I−)
Decripitation May be Lead nitrate
White sublimate formed on May be Ammonium (NH4+)
cooler walls of the test tube.

3. Flame test: A pinch of Blue/Bluish Green Cupric (Cu2+)

salt is made into a paste Apple Green Barium (Ba2+)
with Conc. HCl in a watch Crimson Red Strontium (Sr2+)
glass and is introduced Brick Red Calcium (Ca2+)
into a non-luminous Lilac Potassium (K+)
Bunsen flame using a No Characteristic flame Absence of Cu2+, Ba2+,
charred match stick. Sr2+, Ca2+, K+
4. Ash test: A filter paper is Green coloured ash Presence be Zinc (Zn2+)
soaked into a mixture of Blue coloured ash Presence of Aluminium
salt solution and cobalt (Al3+)
nitrate solution and Pink coloured ash Presence of Magnesium
introduced into Bunsen (Mg2+)
flame and ignited. No Characteristic ash Absence of Zn2+, Al3+, Mg2+
5. Action of HCl: To 1 mL of Brisk Effervescence with the Presence of Carbonate
salt solution, dil. HCl is release of colourless odourless (CO32−)
added. gas that turns lime water milky.
CO32- + 2H+ H2O + CO2
Colourless gas smelling of rotten Presence of Sulphide (S2−)
eggs, turning lead acetate paper
black on warming is evolved.
(CH3COOH)2Pb+2H++S2- Pb2++H2S+CH3COOH
Colourless gas with smell of Presence of Sulphite
burning sulphur, turns acidified (SO32−)
dichromate paper green.
SO32-+ 2H+ H2O + SO2
2- 2- +
Cr2O7 + 3SO3 + 8H 2Cr3+ + 3SO42- + H2O
Colourless gas that turns brown Presence of Nitrite (NO2−)
on cooling in contact with air
turns acidified dichromate green.
NO2- + H+ HNO2
3HNO2 HNO3 + 2NO + 2H2O
2NO + O2 2NO2
 Colourless vapour smelling of Presence of Acetate
vinegar. (CH3COO−)
CH3COO- + H+ CH3COOH
6. Action of Sulphuric Colourless pungent smelling Presence of Chloride (Cl−)
acid: To a pinch of salt, which turns blue litmus paper
conc. Sulphuric acid is and gives dense white fumes
added and heated. with a rod dipped in NH4OH.
Cl- + H+ HCl
HCl + NH4OH NH4Cl + H2O
Red brown vapours turning Presence of Bromide (Br−)
starch paper yellow.
Br- + H+ HBr
2HBr + H2SO4 Br2 + SO2 + 2H2O
Violet vapours turning starch Presence of Iodide (I−)
paper blue.
I- + H+ HI
2HI + H2SO4 I2 + SO2 + 2H2O
Reddish brown vapours with oily Presence of Nitrate (NO3−)
droplets on the sides of the test
tube.
NO3- + H+ HNO3
4HNO3 2H2O + 4NO2 +O2
7. Action of Sulphuric acid Greenish Yellow vapours with Presence of Chloride (Cl−)
and Manganese dioxide: an irritating smell which turns
A pinch of salt is heated starch iodide paper blue.
with manganese dioxide Cl- + H+ HCl
and 1mL of conc. 4HCl +MnO2 MnCl2+Cl2 +H2O
Sulphuric acid. Cl2 + 2KI 2KCl + I2
I2 + Starch Blue colour
Reddish brown vapours. Presence of Bromide (Br−)
- +
Br + H HBr
4HBr +MnO2 MnBr2+Br2 +H2O
Violet vapours. Presence of Iodide (I−)
I- + H+ HI
4HI +MnO2 MnI2+ I2 +H2O
No characteristic changes. Absence of Cl−, Br−, I−
8. Copper Turnings test: A Evolution of Reddish-brown Presence of Nitrate (NO3−)
small quantity of the salt vapours.
is heated with copper NO3- + H+ HNO3
turnings and conc. Cu + 4HNO3 Cu(NO3)2 + 2H2O + 4NO2
Sulphuric acid No Reddish-brown vapours Absence of Nitrate (NO3−)
9. Chromyl Chloride test:
1. To pinch of the salt Orange red vapours are
Potassium Dichromate evolved.
and conc. Sulphuric acid Cl- + 6H+ + Cr2O72- 2CrO2Cl2 + 3H2O
are added and heated.
2. The red vapours are Yellow solution is obtained. Presence of Chloride (Cl−)
passed through NaOH
solution. CrO2Cl2 + 4NaOH 2NaCl + Na2CrO4 +2H2O
3. To this solution, Lead Yellow precipitate is obtained.
Acetate is added. CrO42- +Pb2+ PbCrO4

10. Ammonium molybdate

test:
To 1 mL of salt solution Canary yellow precipitate. Presence of Phosphate
conc. HNO3 acid is added 3-
3PO4 + 3(NH4)2MoO4 2(NH4)3PO4 + 3MoO42- (PO43−)
and heated strongly till
 fume ceases. Then 2H2MoO4 MoO3 + H2O
Ammonium molybdate is (NH4)3PO4 + 12MoO4 + 6H2O
added. (NH4)3.12MoO4.6H2O

11. Ethyl acetate test:

To 1 mL of the salt Pleasant fruity smell of ester.
solution, ethanol and CH3COOH + C2H5OH CH3COOC2H5 +H2O Presence of Acetate
conc. Sulphuric acid is (CH3COO−)
added. Then the mixture
is poured into a beaker
with excess sodium
carbonate solution.

12. Action of Sodium A colourless pungent smelling

hydroxide: gas is evolved which turns red Presence of Ammonium
To 1 mL of salt solution litmus blue and gives dense (NH4+)
NaOH is added and white fumes with a rod dipped
heated. with conc. HCl.
NH4+ + OH- NH3 + H2O
NH3 + HCl NH4Cl

SODIUM CARBONATE EXTRACT:

Two parts of sodium carbonate extract and one part of the salt are added to distilled water and its
heated. The resultant solution is filtered. The filtrate is called sodium carbonate extract.

Confirmatory Test for Anions:

S. No EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE

1. Carbonates: White precipitate soluble in dil. Presence of Carbonate
1. To a few drops of the HCl. (CO32−) is confirmed.
salt solution dil. HCl and Ba2+ + CO32- BaCO3
Barium chloride are BaCO3+ 2 HCl BaCl2 + H2O + CO2
added.
2. To a few drops of the White precipitate soluble in dil.
salt solution dil. HCl and HCl.
magnesium chloride or
Mg2+ + CO32- MgCO3
calcium chloride are
MgCO3+ 2 HCl MgCl2 + H2O + CO2
added.
2. Sulphates:
1. To a few drops of the White precipitate soluble in Presence of Sulphate
extract dil. Acetic acid and NaOH. (SO42−) is confirmed.
lead acetate solution are SO42- + Pb2+ PbSO4
added. PbSO4+ NaOH Pb(OH)2 + Na2SO4
2. To a few drops of the White precipitate insoluble in dil.
extract dil. HCl and HCl.
Barium Chloride are SO42- + Ba2+ BaSO4
added.
3. Nitrates: To a few drops Brown ring at the junction of the Presence of Nitrate (NO3−)
of extract dil. Sulphuric liquids. is confirmed.
acid is added and an NO3- + H+ HNO3
equal volume of ferrous 2HNO3+6Fe2++6H+ 2NO + 6Fe3+ +4H2O
sulphate is added. Then
conc. Sulphuric acid is FeSO4 + NO +5H2O [Fe(H2O)5NO]SO4
added along the walls of
the test tube.
 4. Acetates:
1. To a few drops of the Fruity smell of ester is obtained. Presence of Acetate
extract, a drops of conc. CH3COOH + C2H5OH CH3COOC2H5 +H2O (CH3COO−) is confirmed.
Sulphuric acid and 3-4 mL
of ethanol are added and
heated in a water bath.
The solution is then
poured into a beaker
containing sodium
carbonate.
2. To a few drops of the Brown solution is obtained which
extract neutral Ferric on heating gives a brown
chloride is added. precipitate.
3CH3COO- + Fe3+ (CH3COO)3Fe
(CH3COO)3Fe + 2H2O (CH3COO)(OH)2Fe
+ 2CH3COOH

5. Bromides:
1. A few drops of the Light Yellow precipitate Presence of Bromide (Br−)
extract is acidified with dil. sparingly soluble in NH4OH. is confirmed.
Nitric acid and the silver Ag++Br- AgBr
nitrate is added. AgBr + 2NH4OH [Ag(NH3)2]OH + H2O
Tollen's reagent
2. To a few drops of the Red orange layer is obtained.
extract, carbon Cl2 +2Br- Br2 + 2Cl-
tetrachloride or freshly
prepared chlorine water is
added and shaken well.
6. Phosphate: To a few Yellow precipitate soluble in dil. Presence of Phosphate
drops of the extract dil. HNO3. (PO43−) is confirmed.
HNO3 and silver nitrate 3Ag+ +PO43- Ag3PO4
solution are added.
7. Chlorides: To a few Curdy white precipitate soluble Presence of Chloride (Cl−)
drops of the extract, dil. in excess. is confirmed.
HNO3 followed by silver Ag++Cl- AgCl
nitrate is added. AgCl + NH4OH [Ag(NH3)2]+ + OH- + Cl-

TEST FOR CATIONS:

NOTE: The salt is dissolved in water or another suitable solvent (dil. HCl in hot or cold conditions) and
the solution is used to identify the group in which the basic radical is present to perform the confirmatory
tests.

Group Analysis:

S.No. EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE

1. To a few drops of salt White precipitate (PbCl2) Presence of Lead (Pb2+)
solution dil. HCl is added.
2. To a few drops of the salt A. Black precipitate (PbS or Presence of Lead (Pb2+)
solution dil. HCl and yellow CuS) Presence of Cupric (Cu2+)
Ammonium sulphide are B. Yellow precipitate (CdS) Presence of Cadmium.
added.
3. To a few drops of the salt A. Gelatinous white precipitate Presence of Aluminium
solution Ammonium (Al(OH)3) (Al3+).
chloride and Ammonium B. Dirty green precipitate Presence of Ferrous (Fe2+).
hydroxide are added. (Fe(OH)2) Presence of Ferric (Fe3+).
C. Reddish Brown precipitate
(Fe(OH)3)
 4. To a few drops of the salt A. Dirty White precipitate (ZnS) Presence of Zinc (Zn2+)
solution Ammonium B. Buff coloured precipitate
chloride and Ammonium (MnS) Presence of Manganese
hydroxide and yellow C. Black precipitate (CoS or (Mn2+)
Ammonium Sulphide are NiS) Presence of Cobalt (Co2+)
added. or Nickel (Ni2+)
5. To a few drops of the salt White precipitate (BaCO3 or Presence of Barium (Ba2+)
solution Ammonium SrCO3 or CaCO3) or Strontium (Sr2+) or
chloride and Ammonium Calcium (Ca2+)
hydroxide and Ammonium
carbonate are added.
6. To a few drops of the salt White precipitate (MgHPO4) Presence of Magnesium
solution Ammonium (Mg2+)
chloride and Ammonium
hydroxide and disodium
hypophosphate are
added.

NOTE: If none of the above precipitates are obtained, then conclude as “Therefore the salt contains
Ammonium (NH4+).

CONFORMATORY TEST FOR CATIONS:

NOTE: If group 5 precipitate is indicated, confirm the presence of cation by performing confirmatory
test for Ba2+ first, followed by Sr2+ and then Ca2+. If Ba2+, is confirmed, test for Sr2+ and Ca2+ need not
be performed. Similarly, if Sr2+ is confirmed, test for Ca2+ need to be performed.

S.No. EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE

1. Lead:
1. To a few drops of Yellow precipitate.
solution, 2 mL of CrO42- +Pb2+ PbCrO4
potassium chromate Presence of Lead (Pb2+)
solution is added. is confirmed.
Yellow precipitate which dissolves
2. To a few drops of the
salt solution Potassium in water on heating and reappears
Iodide solution is added. on cooling as shiny golden
spangles.
2I- + Pb2+ PbI2
3. To a few drops of the White precipitate which dissolves in
salt solution dil. Sulphuric water on heating and reappears on
acid is added. cooling as needle like crystals.
SO42- + Pb2+ PbSO4

2. Copper:
1. To a few drops of the Pale blue precipitate.
salt solution, NaOH is 2OH- + Cu2+ Cu(OH)2
added. Presence of Copper
2. To a few drops of the Pale blue precipitate that dissolves (Cu2+) is confirmed.
salt solution, ammonium in excess of NH4OH to give deep
hydroxide solution is blue solution.
added. 2OH- + Cu2+ Cu(OH)2
Cu(OH)2 + 4NH4OH [Cu(NH3)4](OH)2 + 4H2O

3. To a few drops of salt

Chocolate brown precipitate.
solution, potassium
[Fe(CN)6]4- + 2Cu2+ Cu2[Fe(CN)6]
ferrocyanide solution is
added.
4. To a few drops of the Straw yellow precipitate.
salt solution, potassium 2I- + Cu2+ CuI2
iodide solution is added. 2CuI2 Cu2I2 + I2
3. Aluminium:
1. To a few drops of the Gelatinous white precipitate.
salt solution, sodium 2OH- + Al3+ Al(OH)3 Presence of Aluminium
hydroxide solution is (Al3+) is confirmed.
added.
2. To a few drops of the Red lake
salt solution, ammonium
hydroxide and Aluminon
reagent are added.
4. Ferric:
1. To a few drops of the Reddish brown precipitate.
salt solution, sodium
hydroxide solution is
added.
2. To a few drops of the Prussian blue precipitate.
salt solution, potassium 3[Fe(CN)6]4- + 4Fe3+ Fe4[Fe(CN)6]3 Presence of Ferric
ferrocyanide solution is (Fe3+) is confirmed.
added.
3. To a few drops of the Blood red colouration.
salt solution, potassium [Fe(SCN)]2+
SCN- + Fe3+
thiocyanate solution is
added.
5. Zinc:
1. To a few drops of the White precipitate soluble in excess
salt solution, sodium NaOH.
hydroxide solution is 2OH- + Zn2+ Zn(OH)2
added. Zn(OH)2 + 2OH -
[Zn(OH)4]2- Presence of Zinc (Zn2+)
is confirmed.
2. To a few drops of the White precipitate.
salt solution, potassium [Fe(CN)6]4- + 2Zn2+ Zn2[Fe(CN)6]
ferrocyanide solution is
added.
3. Ash Test: A filter paper
is soaked into a mixture of Green ash.
2Zn(NO3)2 2ZnO+4NO2+O2
salt solution and cobalt
nitrate solution and 2Co(NO3)2 2CoO+4NO2+O2
introduced into Bunsen ZnO+CoO ZnO.CoO
flame and ignited.
6. Manganese:
1. To a few drops of the White precipitate which turns brown
salt solution, sodium on exposure to air. Presence of Manganese
hydroxide solution is 2OH- + Mn2+ Mn(OH)2 (Mn2+) is confirmed.
added. Mn(OH)2 + [O] MnO(OH)2

2. To a pinch of a salt, Pink colouration.

diluted with 3/4th with
Mn2+ + BiO3- + H+ HMnO4 + Bi3+ +H2O
water in a test tube add a
drop of dil. HNO3 followed
by sodium bismuthate.
7. Nickel:
1. To a few drops of the Green precipitate soluble in excess
salt solution, Ammonium of ammonium hydroxide. Presence of Nickel (Ni2+)
hydroxide solution is -
2OH + Ni 2+
Ni(OH)2 is confirmed.
added. Ni(OH)2 + 4NH4OH [Ni(NH3)2](OH)2 + 4H2O

2. To a few drops of the Rosy red precipitate.

salt solution, dimethyl
glyoxime and ammonium
hydroxide are added.
8. Calcium:
1. To a few drops of the White precipitate.
salt solution, ammonium Ca2+ + C2O42- CaC2O4 Presence of Calcium
oxalate is added. (Ca2+) is confirmed.
2. To a few drops of the White precipitate.
salt solution, potassium 2Ca2[Fe(CN)6]
ferrocyanide solution is
Ca2+ + K4[Fe(CN)6]
added.

9. Strontium:
1. To a few drops of the White precipitate. Presence of Strontium
salt solution, ammonium SO42- + Sr2+ SrSO4 (Sr2+) is confirmed.
sulphate is added and the
solution is warmed.
10. Barium:
1.To a few drops of the Yellow precipitate.
salt solution, potassium CrO42- +Ba2+ BaCrO4 Presence of Barium
chromate solution is (Ba2+) is confirmed.
added.
2. To a few drops of the White precipitate insoluble in
salt solution, dil. Sulphuric mineral acids.
acid is added. SO42- + Ba2+ BaSO4
11. Magnesium:
1.To a few drops of the White precipitate.
salt solution, sodium 2OH- + Mg2+ Mg(OH)2 Presence of Magnesium
hydroxide solution is (Mg2+) is confirmed.
added.
2. To a few drops of the Blue lake.
salt solution, Magneson
reagent is added.
3.Ash Test: A filter paper Pink ash.
is soaked into a mixture of 2Mg(NO3)2 2MgO+4NO2+O2
salt solution and cobalt
2Co(NO3)2 2CoO+4NO2+O2
nitrate solution and
introduced into Bunsen MgO+CoO MgO.CoO
flame and ignited.
12. Ammonium:
To a few drops of the salt Reddish brown precipitate. Presence of Ammonium
solution, Nessler’s K2HgI4 2KI + HgI2 (NH4+) is confirmed.
reagent is added. HgI2 + NH3 (NH2)HgI + HI
(NH2)HgI + H2O NH2-Hg-I + NH4I