Test of cations : Wet Test

Group Cation Reagent Precipitate & Colour

I Ag+ , Hg22+ , Pb2+ dil HCl AgCl, Hg2Cl2, PbCl2 = White

PbS , CuS, HgS = Black

(A) Pb2+ , Cu2+ , Bi3+
dil HCl + H2S Bi2S3 = Black/Brown,
Hg2+ , Cd2+
CdS = Yellow
II
SnS2 ,As2S3 ,As2S5 = Yellow
(B) As3+ / 5+ , Sb+3 /+5,
dil HCl + H2S Sb2S3 ,Sb2S5 = Orange
Sn2+, Sn4+
SnS = Brown
Group Cation Reagent Precipitate & Colour

Al(OH)3 = White
III Al3+, Cr3+, Fe3+ NH4Cl + NH4OH Cr(OH)3 = Green
Fe(OH)3 = Reddish brown

NiS, CoS = Black

IV Ni2+, Co2+, Mn2+, Zn2+ H2S + NH4Cl + NH4OH MnS = Buff / Pink
ZnS = White

(NH4)2CO3 + NH4Cl + BaCO3, SrCO3, CaCO3 =

Ba2+, Sr2+, Ca2+
V NH4OH white

VI Na+, Mg2+, K+

Zero NH4+ KOH/ NaOH

 Group-zero (𝐍𝐇𝟒+ )

Test by KOH / NaOH

NH4+ + KOH ⎯⎯→ K+ + H2O + NH3 

Glass rod dipped

CuSO4 NiCl2
in HCl
NH4Cl [Cu(NH3)4]SO4 [Ni(NH3)6]+2
Dense white Deep blue Blue
fumes Colour solution
Test by Nessler’s reagent : K2[HgI4] + KOH / NaOH]

K2[HgI4] + KOH

NH4+ Brown ppt

2[HgI4]2– + NH3 + 3OH– ⎯⎯→ [Link](NH2)I + 7I– + 2H2O

Precipitation Test

H2[PtCl6]
(NH4)2[PtCl6]
(Yellow ppt)

NH4+(aq.)

Na3[Co(NO2)6]
(NH4)3[Co(NO2)6]
(Yellow ppt)
Analysis of Group-I Cation

White ppt
[Link] (aq.)
AgCl/PbCl2/Hg2Cl2 +

Hot water

Salt Filtrate
Solution
Soluble AgCl, Hg2Cl2
PbCl2
NH4OH excess

NH2
[Ag(NH3)2]Cl Hg + Hg
Soluble Cl
Shiny black
 Test of Pb+2
H2S dil HNO3
PbS ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯→ Soluble
(Black ppt)

NaOH excess
Pb(OH)2 ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯→ Na2[Pb(OH)4]
NaOH
(white ppt) (Colourless Solution)

NH4OH excess
Pb+2 Pb(OH)2 ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯→ ×
(white ppt) NH4OH
Na2SO3
PbSO3
Na2SO4 KI boil
PbSO4 PbI2 ⎯⎯⎯⎯→ Yellow Solution
White Ppt (Yellow ppt or Cool
PbS2O3
Na2S2O3
(Curdy yellow) 
(yellow crystalline ppt)
Na2CO3
PbCO3
KCN Excess of
Pb(CN)2 ⎯⎯⎯⎯→ Insoluble
(white) CN –
 (Yellow Solution)

dil HNO3
PbCrO4 (Orange Solution)
(Yellow ppt)

Insoluble
Test of Ag+
KI
AgI
(Yellow)

H2S dil HNO3

Ag2S ⎯⎯⎯⎯→ Soluble
(Black)

CN– CN– −
Ag+ AgCN ⎯⎯⎯⎯→ [Ag(CN)2]
(white) excess
(soluble)

NaOH excess
Ag2O ⎯⎯⎯⎯→ Insoluble
(Brown) NaOH

NH4OH excess +
Ag2O ⎯⎯⎯⎯→ [Ag(NH3)2]
(Brown) NH3
 Test by Hg22+

KI KI(Aq.) [Link]
K2HgI4 + Hg  excess
⎯⎯ Hg2I2 Hg2Cl2
(Black) (Green) (White)
H2S
Hg + HgS
KCN(aq.) (Black) (Black)
Hg(CN)2 + Hg 
Soluble in aqia-regia
NaOH NaOH
K2CrO4 Hg22+ Hg2O excess (Insoluble)
Hg2CrO4
(Brick Red)
NH4OH

(Black ppt)
SnCl2 (eq.) Cu-sheet
SnCl4 + 2 Hg Cu+2 + 2Hg
(Black)
Hg 2+
2 Ion is dispropotioneted by NH3/H2S/CN–/excess KI
 II Group –Analysis

PbS, CuS
Black ppt SnS → Brown
Bi2S3, HgS
dil HCl
⎯⎯⎯⎯→
+ H2S
As2S3, As2S5 Sb2S3
Yellow ppt Orange colour
CdS, SnS2 Sb2S5
Filtrate of
YAS = Yellow Ammonium Sulphides
I - Group
II-A II-B
Not - soluble Soluble
[HgS, PbS, CuS, CdS, Bi2S3]

dil HNO3
Soluble Not- Soluble
PbS, CuS, CdS, Bi2S3 HgS
(Soluble in Aqua Regia)
 Analysis of Group-II Cations

KCN [Link]
Hg(CN)2 No ppt
(Solution)
H2S(g)
K2CO3(aq.) HgS
3HgO.HgCO3  (Black)
(Red-Brown) Excess
Na2SO4(aq.) NaOH
HgO (Not Soluble)
HgSO4.2HgO  NaOH
(Yellow) (Yellow)

SnCl2 Hg2Cl2  SnCl2(aq.) NH4OH NH2

Hg2+ [Link]
Excess (White) 1-2drops
(White) NO3
Hg  + Sn4+ Excess NH4OH
(Black) Cu-Sheet
Hg  + Cu+2 (Not Soluble)

KI Excess KI
Co(SCN)2 HgI2
Hg[Co(SCN)4 (Scarlet red)
(aq.)
Co[Hg(SCN)4]
K2HgI4 (Solution)
(Blue ppt)
Test of Cd+2

Test by H2S

YAS
(Insoluble)

dil.HNO3
(Soluble)

Cd+2 + H2S ⎯→ CdS  ⎯→

(Yellow) [Link]
(Insoluble)

Conc.
CdCl2 + H2S
HCl
(soluble)
 KI
CdI2
(Water soluble)
KCN
Cd(CN)2 H2S dil HNO
CdS ⎯⎯⎯⎯→
3
Soluble
Dirty white (Yellow)

Excess KCN
NaOH NaOH
Cd+2 Cd(OH)2 ⎯⎯⎯⎯→ Insoluble
K2[Cd(CN)4] excess
(dirty white)
Colorless Soln
NH4OH excess
Cd(OH)2 ⎯⎯⎯⎯→ [Cd(NH3)4]+2
H2S NH3
CdS  (dirty white) Colourless
(Yellow)

K4[Fe(CN)6]
Cd2[Fe(CN)6]
(Bluish – white solution)
 Test of Cu+2

Test by H2S

YAS
(Insoluble)

dil.HNO3
(soluble)
Cu+2 + H2S ⎯→ CuS  ⎯→
(Black)
[Link]
(Insoluble)

Conc.
(Insoluble)
HCl
 Cu+ I2
I– I–
KI I3–
CuI
(white)

(Brown )

NaOH Boil
K4[Fe(CN)6] Cu(OH)2 ⎯⎯⎯⎯→ CuO
Cu2[Fe(CN)6] (light Blue) (Black ppt)
excess
(Chocolate Brown) Insoluble
NaOH
NH4OH
Cu+2 excess
Cu(OH)2 ⎯⎯⎯→
NH
Cu(NH3)4
3
Deep Blue
K3[Fe(CN)6]
Cu3[Fe(CN)6]2
(Green ppt) CN–
Cu(CN)2 ⎯⎯⎯⎯→ CuCN + ½ C2N2
(yellow) (white)
CN–
[Cu(CN)4]3–
Colourless Solution
 Test by NaOH

Boil
Cu+2 + 2NaOH ⎯→ Cu(OH)2  ⎯⎯→ CuO + H2O
(Light Blue) (Black)

NaOH
excess (Insoluble)

Test by NH4OH

Cu+2 + 2NH4OH ⎯→ Cu (OH)2  + 2NH4+

(Light Blue ppt)

Cu(OH)2 + 4NH3 ⎯→ [Cu(NH3)4]+2 + 2OH–

(excess) (Dark Blue)
 Test by KI(aq)

1
Cu+2 + I– ⎯⎯→ Cu+ + I
2 2
I– I–
CuI The solution adsorbs at the surface of
I3―
(White) (Brown) CuI (ppt).

(Brown )

Test by K4[Fe(CN)6]

2Cu+2 + K4[Fe(CN)6] ⎯⎯→ [ Cu2Fe(CN)6]  + 4K+

(Chocolate Brown)
 Test by KCN

+1
1
Cu+2 + 2CN– ⎯⎯→ Cu(CN)2 ⎯⎯⎯→ CuCN ↓ + C2N2 ↑
2
(Yellow) (White)
(Cyanogen Gas)

CuCN + 3CN– ⎯⎯→ [Cu(CN)4]3–

(Excess) (Colourless solution)

H2S
(No. ppt.)
Test of Bi+3
Conc.
H2S Bi2S3 ⎯⎯→ BiCl3 + H2S ↑
(Brown orHCl.
(Soluble)
Black)
I –

KI BiI3 ⎯⎯⎯⎯→ [BiI4]–

(orange solution)
H2O
BiO+I–
 (orange turbidity)
Bi+3 NaOH excess
Bi(OH)3 ⎯⎯⎯→
NaOH
Insoluble
(White ppt)

NH4OH Bi(OH)3
(white)

BiCl3 + H2O ⇌ BiO+Cl–  + 2HCl

(white ppt)

SbCl3 + H2O ⇌ SbO+Cl– + 2HCl

Soluble in
tartaric Acid
Test by H2S

(Soluble)
Conc.
Bi3+ + H2S ⎯→ Bi2S3  ⎯⎯→ BiCl3 + H2S
HCl
(Brown) or
(Black)

Test by NaOH

Bi3+ + 3NaOH ⎯⎯→ Bi(OH)3  + 3Na+

(White)

Bi(OH)3 + NaOH ⎯⎯→ (Insoluble)

(excess)

Bi(OH)3 + 3HCl --------> BiCl3(aq)

Test by NH4OH

Bi+3 + 3NH4OH ⎯→ Bi(OH)3  + 3NH4+

(White)

Test by KI

I−
Bi+3 + 3I¯ ⎯→ BiI3  [BiI4]¯
(Black/Brown) (Orange) ⎯→ Solution

H2O
BiO+I- 
 (Orange Turbidity)
 Test by sodium stannite

Na2[Sn(OH)2 ] or Na2SnO2 . 2H2O

OH−
Bi+3 + SnO22– SnO32– + Bi 
(Stannate) (Black)
 Test of Sn+2
Fe+3 / H+ H+/H2S
Fe+2 + Sn+4 SnS
(green) (Yellow ppt) (Brown)

K2Cr2O7/H+ NaOH excess

Cr+3 + Sn+4 Sn(OH)2
(White ppt)
Na2[Sn(OH)4]
MnO4– / H+ NH4OH
Mn+2 + Sn+4 Sn2+ Sn(OH)2 excess
(White ppt)
(Insoluble)
NH2
C6H5NO2/HCl KI (aq.)
No ppt

Purple of AuCl3(aq) HgCl2 Sn+2

Sn4+ + Hg2Cl2
Cassius excess
(White)
(Purple) 2Hg  + SnCl4
Excess Hg2Cl2 (Black)
Sn+4 + Bi 2Hg + Sn4+
(Black) KOH + Bi (NO3)3
soln (Black)
 Analysis of Group-III Cations

1. Boil
2. dil HNO3(1-2 drops)
Cr(OH)3
3. NH4Cl White ppt/Brown ppt / green ppt +
4. NH4OH
Al(OH)3 Fe(OH)3
IInd group
filtrate HCl (aq.)

Al+3 Fe+3

(Colour less) (Yellow)

Test of Al+3
NaOH excess
Al(OH)3 ⎯⎯⎯→
NaOH Na[Al(OH)4] (Soluble)
(White)

NH4OH excess
Al(OH)3 ⎯⎯⎯⎯→ Insoluble
NH3

Al+3
(NH4)2S
Al(OH)3 + H2S 
+H2O
Rotten egg smell

(NH4)2CO3
Al2(CO3)3 H2 O
⎯⎯⎯⎯→ Al(OH)3 + CO2
or
Na2CO3

N TE Cr+3, Al+3, Fe+3 do not form carbonates. If formed in reaction

sequence in aqueous medium, then they undergo hydrolysis.
If formed in anhydrous state evolve CO2.
 Test by NaOH

Al+3 + 3NaOH ⎯→ Al(OH)3  + 3Na+

(White)

Al(OH)3  + NaOH ⇌ Na [Al(OH)4]

(excess) (solution)
1. CO2
2. Excess H2O
3. NH4+ salt
4. Freshly prepared Al(OH)3 ppt
 Test by NH4OH

Al+3 + 3NH4OH ⎯→ Al(OH)3 + 3NH4+

(White)

Al(OH)3 + NH3 ⎯→ (Insoluble)

(excess)
 Test by (NH4)2S

2Al+3 (aq.) + 3(NH4)2S(aq.) ⎯→ Al2S3 + 6NH4+

Al2S3 + 6H2O ⎯→ 2Al(OH)3  + 3H2S 

(White)

2Al+3 + 6H2O +3(NH4)2S ⎯→ 2Al(OH)3  + 3H2S  + 6NH4+

(White)
 Test by (NH4)2CO3

2Al+3 + 3(NH4)2CO3 ⎯→ Al2(CO3)3 + 6NH4+

Al2(CO3)3 + 6H2O ⎯→ 2Al(OH)3 + 3H2O + 3CO2

2Al+3 + 3(NH4)2CO3 + 3H2O ⎯→ 2Al(OH)3 + 6NH4+ + 3CO2

N TE

Cr+3, Al+3, Fe+3 do not form carbonates. If formed in reaction sequence

in aq. medium, then they undergo hydrolysis. If formed in anhydrous
state evolve CO2.
 Lake Test

(Blue lake test)

dil
Al(OH)3 ppt
HCl
White gelatinous dissolve
ppt.
2,3 drops of Litmus solution

Red colour
solution
Sufficient
Blue Floating ppt
amount of
NH4OH
Test of Cr+3

NaOH excess
Cr(OH)3 ⎯⎯→ Na[Cr(OH)4]
(Green) NaOH Green
solution

NH4OH excess
Cr+3 Cr(OH)3 ⎯⎯→ Na[Cr(NH3)6]+2
(Green) NH4OH
(Violet – pink
Solution)

(NH4)2S H2O
Cr2S3 ⎯⎯→ Cr(OH)3 + H2S
Test by NaOH

Cr+3 + NaOH ⎯→ Cr(OH)3  + 3Na+

(Green)

Cr(OH)3  + NaOH ⎯→ Na [Cr(OH)4]

(excess) (Green Soln.)
Test by NH4OH

Cr+3 + 3NH4OH ⎯→ Cr(OH)3  + 3NH4+

(Green)

Cr(OH)3  + NH3 ⎯→ [Cr(NH3)6]+3

(excess) (Violet Pink Soln.)


Cr(OH)3 is partially soluble
 Test by (NH4)2S

2Cr+3(aq.) + 3(NH4)2S ⎯→ Cr2S3 + 6NH4+

Cr2S3 + 6H2O ⎯→ 2Cr(OH)3  + 3H2S 

2Cr+3(aq.) + 6H2O + 3(NH4)2S ⎯→ 2Cr(OH)3  + 3H2S + 6NH4+

(Green)
 Test by (NH4)2CO3

2Cr+3 + 3(NH4)2 CO3 ⎯→ Cr2(CO3)3 + 6NH4+

Cr2(CO3)3 + 6H2O ⎯→ Cr(OH)3  + 3H2O + 3CO2

2Cr+3 + 3(NH4)2 CO3 + 3H2O ⎯→ Cr(OH)3  + 6NH4+ + 3CO2

(Green)
 Test of Fe+3
KI(Aq.) NaOH
I3– + Fe+2 Fe(OH)3 ⎯⎯⎯
excess
NaOH
→ (Insoluble)
(brown Solution) (brown)
NH4OH NH4 OH
Fe(OH)3 ⎯⎯⎯
excess
→ X
(Brown)
Cr2O7 2– / H+ H+/H 2S
No reaction Fe+2 + S
(Turbidity)
Fe+3
Sത CN (NH4)2S/H+
Fe(SCN)3 Fe+2 + S
(Blood Red)
(NH4)2S/Neutral
1-2 drop NH4OH FeS  + S
[Fe3(OH)2(CH3COO)6]+ Medium
+ CH3COO– Na+ (Black)
(Blood Red) (NH4)2S/Basic
Fe2S3 (Black)
K4[Fe(CN)6] Medium
Fe4[Fe(CN)6]3
Na2S2O3(aq.) III Fe+3
[Fe(S2O3)2]– 2Fe+2 + S4O62–
K3[Fe(CN)6] (Violet) (Green
Fe[Fe(CN)6] SO2 /H+ Solution)
Fe+2 + SO42–
Test of Fe+3 vs. Fe+2

Fe+3 Fe+2
Fe(OH)3 Fe(OH)2
NaOH(aq.)
(Brown) (White/dirty Green)
KI Fe+2, I3– No rxn.
H+ / H2S Fe+2, S No rxn.
S2O32– ×

Dmg × Red complex [Fe(dmg)2]°

 Analysis of Group-IV Cations

1. NH4Cl Black ppt Buff ppt White ppt

2. NH4OH CoS MnS ZnS
3. H2S NiS

dil. HCl

Not Soluble Soluble

CoS  , NiS  ZnS + 2HCl ⎯→ ZnCl2 + H2S ↑
(Black)
MnS + 2HCl ⎯→ MnCl2 + H2S ↑
Hot conc HNO3 or Aquaregia
ZnS + 2CH3COOH ⎯→ No reaction
Ni+2(aq.) = Green MnS + 2CH3COOH ⎯→ Mn(CH3COO)2 + H2S↑
Co+2(aq.) = Pink
Test of Zn+2

NaOH Excess
Zn(OH)2  NaOH
Na2[Zn(OH)4]
(White) (Colourless soln.)

NH4OH Excess
Zn(OH)2  NH3
[Zn(NH3)4]+2
(White) (Colourless soln.)
(NH4)2S
Zn+2 (aq.) ZnS 
(White)
K4[Fe(CN)6]
Zn2[Fe(CN)6] 
(White)
Na2HPO4
Zn3(PO4)2 
(White)

ZnS, MnS are soluble in dil. HCl but ZnS is not soluble in acetic acid.
Test of Mn+2

1
O
NaOH 2 2
Mn(OH)2  MnO2.H2O 
(White) (Brown)

H2O2
MnO2.H2O 
Mn+2 (aq.) (Brown)
NH4OH Excess
Mn(OH)2  (Insoluble)
NH3
White

(NH4)2S Soluble in acetic acid,

MnS 
(Buff Pink) HNO3, Aqua Regia
K4[Fe(CN)6]
MnO–4 Mn2[Fe(CN)6] 
(purple) (light pink)
Na2HPO4
Mn3(PO4)2 
(light Pink)
Test of Ni+2

NaOH Excess
Ni(OH)2  NaOH (Insoluble)
(Green)

NH4OH Excess
Ni(OH)2  NH3
[Ni(NH3)6]+2
(Green) (Dark blue)

Excess en
Ni+2(aq.) [Ni(en)3]+2
(Violet solution)
(Green)
dmg–1
[Ni(dmg)2]
H3C–C=N–OH
(Rosy red)
H3 C–C=N–O–

CN– Excess
Ni(CN)2  CN–
[Ni(CN)4]2–
(Green) (Yellow solution)
Test of Co+2

dmg–1
[Co(dmg)2]
Red complex

Cl–
Co+2 [CoCl4]2–
excess (Dark Blue)

Pink
Co+2 (aq.)
KNO2
K3[Co(NO2)6]
(excess)
Yellow
Fischer salt
Analysis of Group-V Cations

NH4Cl
+
NH4CH BaCO3/SrCO3/CaCO3 +
+
(NH4)2CO3 (White)
CH3COOH(aq.)

Clear soln.
+
CH3COOH(aq.)
Reagent Ba+2 Sr+2 Ca+2

BaCrO4  (yellow) CaCrO4 

SrCrO4  (Yellow)
Soluble in HCl, HNO3 (Yellow)
(NH4)2CrO4 Soluble in HCl, HNO3,
(not soluble in Soluble in HCl,
CH3COOH.
CH3COOH) HNO3, CH3COOH.

SrSO4  (white) CaSO4  (white)

BaSO4  (white)
Not soluble in HCl Not soluble in HCl
Not soluble in HCl
(NH4)2SO4 HNO3, CH3COOH (not HNO3, CH3COOH
HNO3, CH3COOH (not
soluble in excess (soluble in excess
soluble in excess SO2–
4 )
SO2–4 ) SO2–
4 )

SrC2O4  (white) CaC2O4  (white)

BaC2O4  (white)
Soluble in HCl, HNO3 Soluble in HCl,
(NH4)2C2O4 Soluble in HCl, HNO3,
(not soluble in HNO3 (not soluble
CH3COOH
CH3COOH) in CH3COOH)
Ba+2
Flame test ⎯→ Apple green
BaCO3 + CH3COOH ⎯→ (CH3COO)2Ba + H2O + CO2
(white ppt) K2CrO4

BaCrO4
(yellow ppt)

Sr+2
Flame test ⎯→ Crimson Red
SrCO3 + CH3COOH ⎯→ (CH3COO)2Sr + H2O + CO2
(white ppt)
(NH4)2SO4

SrSO4
(white ppt)
Ca+2
Flame test ⎯→ Brick red
CaCO3 + CH3COOH ⎯→ (CH3COO)2Ca + H2O + CO2
(white ppt)
(NH4)2C2O4

CaC2O4
Calcium oxalate
(white ppt)
Group – VI : Na+, Mg+2, K+

If group – V is absent, the solution may contain MgCO3 which is soluble

in water in presence of ammonium salts.

Mg+2 + Na2HPO4 ⎯⎯→ Mg(NH4)PO4 + NH4OH + 2Na+ + H2O

(Magnesium
Ammonium
phosphate)
(white ppt)