ST.

JOHN’S ENGLISH SCHOOL & JUNIOR COLLEGE

BESANT NAGAR, CHENNAI-90
SALT ANALYSIS
CLASS: XI & XII SUB: CHEMISTRY

Preliminary Test
S.No. Experiment Observation Inferences
1 Colour & Appearance Blue or Bluish Presence of Cu2+ or Ni2+
Note the colour and green Greenish Presence of Ni2+
its appearance of the Light Presence of Fe2+
given salt. Green Presence of Fe3+
Dark Presence of Co2+
brown Presence of Mn2+
Pink May be due to the
Light Presence of Al3+ NH4+
pink, Zn2+,Ca+2,Ba2+,Sr2+, Mg2+
White
2 Smell / Odour Ammoniacal Presence of NH4+ salt
Take a pinch of the smell Vinegar Presence of acetate
salt between your like smell salt
fingers and rub with a
drop of water
3 Action of heat Colourless gas May be the presence
Take a little of the – turns lime of
salt in a dry test tube water milky CO3-2
and heat it. Pungent
smelling gas -
gives dense Presence of Cl
white fumes
with a glass rod
dipped in NH4OH
characteristic
Vinegar Smell Presence of CH3 COO–
Colourless gas
with pungent
smell, gives white Presence of NH4+
fumes with a
glass rod dipped
in conc. HCI. May be the presence
Blue becomes of hydrated CuSO4
white on heating.
Reddish brown Presence of Br–
gas turns starch
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paper
orange yellow.

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 Reddish brown -
Presence of NO3
gas turns
Ferrous sulphate
solution black
Dark violet gas -
Presence of I
turns starch
paper blue.
Presence of NH4+
A white
sublimate on the
cooler part of the Presence of Pb
test – tube. The
salt descrepitates (NO3)2 Presence of
yellow when hot
white when cold. Zn+2 Presence of
Brown when hot
and yellow when Pb2+
cold.
A white salt May be CH3COO–
becomes black
on heating

4 Flame Test Brick red Presence of

Take a little of the coloured flame
given salt in a watch Crimson red Ca2+ Presence
glass and make a colouird flame
paste with a few Apple green of Sr2+
drops of conc. HCl. coloured flame
Introduce this paste after prolonged
to the non – luminous heating. Bluish Presence of Ba2+
part of the flame. green flame. Dull
bluish white Presence of
flame Cu2+ Presence
No of Pb2+
characteristic
coloured flame Absence of Ca2+,
Sr2+, Ba2+, Cu2+, Pb2+
5 Ash Test i) Green ash i) May be Zn2+
Take a Pinch of Salt ii) Pink ash ii) May be Mg2+
and add few drops of iii) Blue ash iii) May be AI3+
cobalt nitrate solution
in a test tube. Dip the
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filter paper and burn
it and observe the
colour of the ash.

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 DRY TEST
S.No. Experiment Observation Inference
1 To a Pinch i) Brisk effervescence Carbonate
of Salt dil. of colourless, odourless gas is
HCI is added turning lime water milky confirmed
in a test CO32- + HCI CI- + CO2 +H2O
tube. Ca(OH)2+CO2CaCO3+H2O
iii) No characteristic change

Absence of CO32–
2 A)To a Pinch i) Colourless gas with pungent -
i) Presence of Cl
of the salt odour giving out white fumes
Conc. when glass rod dipped in NH4OH
H2SO4 is is introduced to the test tube.
added Cl- + H2SO4  HSO4- + HCl
and HCl + NH3 NH4Cl.
warm if -
ii) Dark Red (or) Presence of Br
necessar
Brown Colour gas
y.
2Br- + 2H2SO4- Br2+ 2HSO4- + 2H2 O
-Reddish brown - gas -
May be NO3
NO3-+H2SO4  HSO4-+NO2 + H2O
iii) Dark Violet Colour gas -
- Presence of I
2I H SO  SO + I + H O
+ 2 4 2 2 2
iv) No characteristic r x n Absence of CI-, Br-,
- -
I , NO3
B) To the a) More brown fumes obtained i) Presence of Br-
above b) More Violet fumes obtained is confirmed.
mixture MnO2 c) Greenish Yellow gas obtained ii) Presence of I-
is added. and X- + MnO2+ H2SO4 HSO4-+MnSO4 + X2 is confirmed.
heat it gently [where X = CI, Br, I- ] -
iii)Presence of CI
3 Copper Reddish brown fumes are -
Presence of NO3
Turning Test evolved leaving behind green
To the salt colour solution . NO3- H2SO4
‘Cu’ turnings HNO3+HSO4-
and Conc. Cu+ HNO3 Cu(NO3)2 + 2NO2+2H2O -
H2SO4 are No reddish brown fumes Absence of NO3
added and
heated
4 Chromyl Dark red vapours of chromyl
Chloride Test chloride condenses on the -
cooler parts of the test tube as Presence of Cl

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red liquid.

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 A small Yellow solution formed gives -
Presence of CI
amount of yellow ppt with CH3COOH and Pb
salt is mixed (CH3COO)2 is confirmed.
with solid -
Absence of CI
K2 Cr2 O7 No Red Orange vapours
and Con.
H2SO4 is
added
and
heated
5 Ester Fruity smell of ester is obtained Presence of
Test To a -
-
CH3COO+ +C2H5OH CH3 COO C2H5+OH -
small CH3COD
amount of
No fruity smell
salt a few
drops of conc. -
Absence of CH3COO
H2SO4 is
added. To the
above add 3-
4 drops of
Ethyl alcohol
and
warm it

WET TEST
Preparation of Na2CO3 Extract.
It is prepared in case of water insoluble
coloured salt. To a small amount of the salt, twice the amount
of Na2CO3 is added followed by 20-30ml of distilled water. The
solution is boiled for 10-15 minutes, cooled and filtered. This
filtrate is known as Na2CO3 Extract. All wet tests are performed
using this extract
OR
Preparation of water Extract.
To a small amount of the salt add 25-30ml if water and
shake well. This solution is known as water extract. All web test
are performed using this extract
S.No Experiment Observation Inference
1 AgNO3 Test Curdy while ppt readily soluble Presence of chloride
One part of in excess of NH4OH is obtained. is confirmed
the extract is Cl-+ AgNO3 NO3- + Agcl
neutralised -
with dil HNO3 AgCl+2NH4OH [Ag(NH3)2Cl] + 2OH
till the ii) light yellow ppt sparingly May be the
effervesence soluble in excess of NH4OH is
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stops. Then obtained -
- - presence of Br
a AgNO3 Br + 2AgNO3  [Ag (NH3)2 Cl] + 2OH
solution is iii) dark yellow ppt insoluble -
added in Presence of I
inexcess of NH4OH is obtained
excess
- - -
I + AgNO3  NO3 + AgI Presence of I
Ag1 + 2NH4OH [Ag(NH3)2]1+2H2O

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2 i) a golden yellow lake is -
Lake Test for obtained. Presence of Br
- - 2. MBr + Cl22 MCl + is confirmed
Br or I
Acidify the Br2 Br2 being soluble
extract with in CCl4
-
dil HCl & add Presence of I
1-2ml of CS2 ii) A violet lake is is confirmed
and then add obtained imparts
chlorine water yellow colour layer 2MI
shake & +Cl22MCl + I2
allow to stand
3 BaCl2 Test Thick white ppt insoluble in Presence of SO4-2
The extract is conc HCl is obtained.
neutralised
with dil HCl -
SO-24 + Bacl2 BaSO4 + 2Cl
till
effervescenc
e stops and
then add Absence of SO4-2
No white ppt
Bacl2 solution
4 Pb (CH3COO)2 Thick white ppt soluble in Confirms the
Test hot presence of SO4-2
Acidify CH3COONH4.
the
extract
with
CH3COOH
and then
add Pb
(CH3COO)2
Solution
Brown Ring Test :
To the extract Brown ring is obtained at the Presence of No3-
dil H2SO4 is junction of the two layers. is
added till confirmed
offervescene
stops and
then freshly
prepared FeSO4
solution is
added and
Con.H2SO4 is
added on the
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walls of the
test tube.
NO-3 + H2SO4 + HNO3
6FeSO4 + 3H2SO4+2HNO33Fe2(SO4)3 + 4H2O + 2NO.
FeSO4+NO+H2O[Fe(NO)(H2O)5] SO4.(Brown Ring)

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5 FeCl3Test
To the Red Colouration is obtained Presence of acetace
extract
small
amount of
-
3CH3C FeCl3  Fe(CH3COO)3
FeCl3 is OO +
added and +3Cl-
shake well.
Divide
into two
parts
a) To one a) Red Colour disappears Presence of
part HCI is -
b) Red ppt is CH3COO
added
b) to is confirmed.
another formed No red
part Absence of
distilled Colouration
water is
added -
CH3COO
and
heated.

SYSTEMATIC ANALYSIS OF CATIONS

Form in which
Grou Group reagent Cations
cations are
p
precipitated
Zero - NH4+
I Dilute HCl Pb2+ 2+ 2+ Chlorides
2+ 2+
II H2 S in presence of dil. HCl Hg ,Cd , Cu ,As Sulphides
III NH4OH in the presence Fe2+, Fe3+, AI3+ Hydroxides
of NH4 Cl
IV H2S in presence of NH4 Ni2+,Mn2+, Zn2+, Co2+ Sulphides
OH,NH4Cl
V (NH4)2CO3 in presence of Ca2+, Ba2+, Sr2+ Carbonates
NH4OH
VI ---- Mg2+ ---

ANALYSIS OF CATIONS
Preparation of Original Solutions:
Dissolve about 2 grams of the given salt in dissolved water. This
solution is called as original solution & is used in the following
tests.
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 Group Zero NH4+
1) To a little of the A Reddish brown ppt is Presence of NH4+
original solution obtained
add Nessler’s NH4Cl+NaOHNaCI+H2O+NH3
reagent [K2(HgI4)] I 2K2HgI4+NH3+3KOHH2N. Hgo.Hgl+7KI+2H2O
and NaOH solution (Brown ppt) Brown ppt

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2) to the original A pungent smelling +
Presence of NH4
salt solution add gas turns wet red
slaked litmus blue
lime & boiled the
contents 2NH4X+Ca(OH)2CaX2+ 2NH4OH

Group I
To a little of the A white ppt is obtained Presence of group I
original solution add cation (Pb2+)
dil. HCI Pb A2+2HCI PbCI2+2HA
Whit
e
No white ppt Absence of group I cation
Confirmatory Tests Yellow ppt soluble in Presence of Pb2+
+ acetic acid is obtained
for Pb2
1) Potassium Pb A2+K2CrO4PbCrO4+KA Confirms the
Chromate test Yellow presence of Pb
2+
To a little of the
original solution add
potassium chromate
solution.
2) Potasssium Iodide Yellow ppt. dissolves on Confirms the
test To a little of the boiling and reappears presence of
original solution, add as golden yellow Pb2+
KI solution boil it, cool spangles on cooling.
it under running
water. Pb A2 + 2 KI PbI2+ 2KCI

Group II
To a little of the M2+ H2SMS+ 2H+ May be the
original solution, add A black ppt is obtained presence of Cu2+
a few drops of dil. HCI
and pass H2S gas CuA2+ H2S2HA + Cus
(Yellow ammonium (Black
Sulphide) )
No characteristic Absence of Cu2+
ppt it obtained
Confirmatory Tests for
Cu2+
1) To a little of the A pale blue Presence Cu2+
original solution add precipitate confirmed.
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in drops to excess dissolves in excess
NH4 OH of
NH4OH to form
blue coloured
solution
2+
Cu2++4NH4OH2[Cu(NH3)4] +4H2O

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2) Potassium A chocolate brown Presence of Cu2+
ppt
ferrocyanide test is formed.
To a little of the 2CuSO4+K4[Fe(CN)6]Cu2[Fe(CN)6]+2K2SO4
original
solution add K4
[Fe(CN)6]
solution.

3) potassium iodide test A white ppt is Presence of Cu2+ confirmed

To a little of the formed in brown
original solution add KI coloured solution
solution 2CuSO4+KICu2I2+I2+2K2SO4
White ppt. Brown ppt.

Group III

To a little of the A dirty green ppt is Presence of Fe2+

original salt solution obtained
add a few ml of A reddish brown ppt is Presence of
NH4CI followed by obtained. A white Fe3+ Presence
NH4OH in excess gelatinous ppt 3+
of Al
AICI3+3NH4OH3NH4CI+ AI(OH)3 
(White
)
No characteristic Absence of group
ppt is obtained III cations
i) confirmatory test for the permanganate colour Presence of Fe2+
is
2+
Fe to a little of the discharged
original solution add a
few drops of acidifed
KMnO4 Solution
ii) confirmatory test Bluish green colour Presence of Fe2+
for ppt obtained
2+
Fe
To a little of the
original
solution add a few
drops
of potassium
ferricyanide solution
Confirmatory test for Blood red colouration Presence of Fe3+
Fe3+
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i) to a little of the
original
salt solution add a FeCI3+3KCNS3KCI+Fe(CNS)3
few drop of
potassium
thiocyanate
solution.(KCNS)

16
2) To a little of the Bluish green colour Presence of Fe3+
original salt solution ppt obtained
add a few drops of
postassium ferro
cyanide solution.
K4[Fe(CN)6]

Confirmatory test for AI3+

Lake Test Blue ppt floating in Presence of AI3+
To a little of the the colourless
original salt solution solution
add blue litmus AICI3+3NH4OH 3NH4CI+AI(OH)3
solution followed Blue colour absorbs on this ppt.
by NH4OH dropwise
2) Ash Test Blue ash Presence of AI3+
To a little of the
original salt solution AI2O3+CoOAI2O3CoO
add a few drops of Blu
cobalt nitrate e
[Co(NO3)2]. Dip a ash
filter paper in this
solution &
burn it.

Group IV

To a little of the M2+H2sMS+2H+ Presence of NI2+

original solution add Black ppt
a few drops of NH4CI Ni(OH)2+H2S2H2O+Ni S
& NH4OH and then
pass H2S gas (yellow A dirty white ppt is Presence of Zn2+
ammonium sulphide) obtained
Zn(OH)2 + H2S2H2O+ZnS (white)

A flesh coloured ppt is Presence of Mn2+

obtained
No characteristic coloured Absence of Ni2+,
ppt is obtained Zn2+ and Mn2+

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 Confirmatory tests for Ni2+

1) To a little of the Bright rose red ppt is Presence of Ni2+ is

original solution add. confirmed
NH4CI NH4OH and
dimethyl glyoxime

2) To a little of A green ppt Presence of Ni2+

the original is obtained confirmed
solution add
NiX2+2NaOH2NaX+Ni(OH)2
NaOH in excess.
gree
n

Confirmatory tests for Zn2+

1) to a little of the A white ppt Presence of Zn2+
original salt solution soluble in excess
add a few drops of of NaOH
NaOH. ZnCl2+2NaOH 2Zn(OH)2 + 2NaCl
white ppt
Zn(OH)2+2NaOHNa2[Zn(OH)4]+2H2O soluble

2) To a little of the White ppt is 2+

Presence of zn
original salt solution add obtained
a few ml of potassium 2ZnCl+K4[Fe(CN)6  Zn2[Fe(CN)6] + 4KCl
ferrocyanide. White
[K4Fe(CN)6] ppt.

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[Co(NO3)2] & dip a A green ash is Presence of Zn2+
filter paper in this obtained (ZnO
solution & burn it CoO)

Confirmatory tests for Mn2+

1) To a little of the original A brown ppt Presence of Mn2+
salt solution add excess of is obtained
NaOH solution
MnCl2+2NaOHMn(OH)2+2NaCl
2) to a little of the original Pink Presence of Mn2+
solution add PbO2 and coloured
con. HNO3 & boil the solution
contents.

Group V
To a little of the original A thick white Presence of group V
Solution, add NH4Cl, ppt is obtained Cations Ca2+, Ba2+ and
NH4OH and (NH4)2CO3 Sr2+
solution in excess. MCl2+(NH4)2 CO3MCO3+ 2NH4Cl
M2+ + (NH4)2 CO3  MCO3+ 2NH4
No white ppt is Absence of V
obtained group cations.

Confirmatory tests for Ba2+

1) To a little of the original Yellow ppt is Presence of Ba2+
salt obtained
solution add postassium
chromate (K2CrO4) solution. BaX2+K2CrO42KX+BaCrO4
(Yellow ppt
)
2) Flame test Apple green Presence of Ba2+
To a little of the given salt, coloured flame
add a few drops of conc.
HCI & make a paste.
Perform flame
test.
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 Confirmatory tests for strontium(Sr2+)
1) To a little of the original A white ppt isobtained Presence of Sr2+
salt SrX2+(NH4)2SO42NH4X+ SrSO4
solution add (NH4)2SO4&
warm it.
2) Flame test Crimson red Presence of Sr2+
To a little of the given salt coloured
add a few drops of conc. flame
HCI & make a
paste .perform flame test.

Confirmatory tests for calcium

1) to a little of the A white ppt is Presence of Ca2+
original salt solution add formed
ammonium oxalate CaX2+(NH4)2C2O42NH4X + CaC2O4
(NH4)2C2O4 solution

2) flame test Brick red Presence of Ca2+

To a little of the given salt coloured flame
add con. HCI and make a is produced
paste.
Perform flame test

Group VI
Confirmatory tests for Magnesium
1) To little of the original A white ppt is Presence of Mg2+
salt solution add NH4OH obtained
till alkaline and then add
excess of Na2HPO4 (or) M2+Na2HPO4+NH4OHMg(NH4)PO4+2Na++H2O
(NH4)3 PO4 and scratch the MgCI2+ NH4OH+(NH4)2 HPO4
sides of the test tube 
with a glass rod. Mg(NH4)PO4+2NH4CI+H2O

2) to a little of the original Sky blue coloured Presence of Mg2+

salt ppt. is formed
solution add magneson
reagent and NaOH in
excess.

Result:
i) The Given Anion is
ii) The Given Cation is
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iii) The Given Salt is

*******

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