SALT

ANALYSIS
PART 1: CATION GROUPS (0-6)

GROUP 0: AMMONIUM (NH₄⁺)

Test: O.S. (2ml) + NaOH (2-3 drops) + HEAT

Observation: Ammonia smell (pee-like). Hold wet red litmus at mouth → turns
BLUE

Result: YES → NH₄⁺ PRESENT

Confirmatory: Fresh O.S. + Nessler's reagent [K₂HgI₄] → BROWN PPT → NH₄⁺

CONFIRMED

GROUP 1: LEAD (Pb²⁺)

Test: Fresh O.S. (5ml) + dil. HCl (2-3 drops)

Observation: White precipitate formed?

Result: YES → Pb²⁺ LIKELY

Confirmatory Tests:

1. Heat ppt in hot water → Dissolves → Cool → White crystals reappear

2. Fresh O.S. + K₂CrO₄ → YELLOW PPT (PbCrO₄) → Pb²⁺ CONFIRMED

Filter: Precipitate (P-1) = PbCl₂ | Filtrate (F-1) = Use for Group 2

GROUP 2: COPPER & ARSENIC (Cu²⁺, As³⁺)

Test: F-1 + dil. HCl (1-2 drops) + Pass H₂S gas (ACIDIC MEDIUM)

Observations:

BLACK PPT → Cu²⁺ PRESENT

 Confirmatory: Fresh O.S. + excess NH₄OH → DEEP BLUE solution

[Cu(NH₃)₄]²⁺ → Cu²⁺ CONFIRMED

YELLOW PPT → As³⁺ PRESENT

 Confirmatory: Reinsch test → Copper mirror on wire → As³⁺ CONFIRMED

Filter: Precipitate (P-2) = CuS, As₂S₃ | Filtrate (F-2) = Use for Group 3

GROUP 3: ALUMINUM, IRON III, IRON II, CHROMIUM (Al³⁺, Fe³⁺, Fe²⁺,
Cr³⁺)

Preparation (if original salt was GREEN): Fresh O.S. + HNO₃ (1-2 drops) +
HEAT + COOL

Test: F-2 + NH₄Cl (pinch) + NH₄OH (till alkaline) + SHAKE

Observations:

WHITE GELATINOUS (jelly-like) → Al³⁺ PRESENT

 Confirmatory: Ppt + excess NaOH → PPT DISSOLVES (amphoteric) → Al³⁺

CONFIRMED

 Blue Lake Test: See detailed procedure below

REDDISH-BROWN (rust color) → Fe³⁺ PRESENT

 Confirmatory: Fresh O.S. + KSCN → BLOOD-RED color → Fe³⁺ CONFIRMED

DIRTY GREEN (turns brown in air) → Fe²⁺ PRESENT

 Confirmatory: Fresh O.S. + K₃[Fe(CN)₆] → BLUE PPT (Turnbull's blue) →

Fe²⁺ CONFIRMED

GRAY-GREEN gelatinous → Cr³⁺ PRESENT

 Confirmatory: Ppt + H₂O₂ + NaOH + heat → YELLOW solution (chromate) →

Cr³⁺ CONFIRMED

Filter: Precipitate (P-3) = Hydroxides | Filtrate (F-3) = Use for Group 4

GROUP 4: ZINC, MANGANESE, NICKEL, COBALT (Zn²⁺, Mn²⁺, Ni²⁺, Co²⁺)

Test: F-3 + NH₄OH (till ALKALINE) + Pass H₂S gas (ALKALINE MEDIUM)

Observations:

DIRTY WHITE (off-white) → Zn²⁺ PRESENT

 Confirmatory: Fresh O.S. + excess NaOH → White ppt forms then

DISSOLVES → Zn²⁺ CONFIRMED

BUFF/FLESH-COLORED (pinkish-beige) → Mn²⁺ PRESENT

 Confirmatory: Fresh O.S. + NaOH + Br₂ water → BROWN PPT (MnO₂) →

Mn²⁺ CONFIRMED

BLACK PPT → Ni²⁺ OR Co²⁺ (or both)

For Ni²⁺: Fresh O.S. + DMG (dimethylglyoxime) + NH₄OH → BRIGHT

RED/SCARLET PPT → Ni²⁺ CONFIRMED
For Co²⁺: Fresh O.S. + KSCN + amyl alcohol → BLUE in alcohol layer → Co²⁺
CONFIRMED

Filter: Precipitate (P-4) = Sulfides | Filtrate (F-4) = Use for Group 5

GROUP 5: BARIUM, STRONTIUM, CALCIUM (Ba²⁺, Sr²⁺, Ca²⁺)

Test: F-4 + (NH₄)₂CO₃ solution

Observation: White precipitate formed? YES → Group 5 present

Identify using FLAME TEST (fresh O.S.):

APPLE GREEN flame → Ba²⁺

 Confirm: O.S. + K₂CrO₄ → YELLOW PPT (BaCrO₄) → Ba²⁺ CONFIRMED

CRIMSON RED flame → Sr²⁺

 Confirm: Dissolve ppt in CH₃COOH + (NH₄)₂SO₄ → WHITE PPT (SrSO₄) →

Sr²⁺ CONFIRMED

BRICK RED flame → Ca²⁺

 Confirm: Dissolve ppt in CH₃COOH + (NH₄)₂C₂O₄ + wait 5 min → WHITE PPT

(CaC₂O₄) → Ca²⁺ CONFIRMED

Filter: Precipitate (P-5) = Carbonates | Filtrate (F-5) = Use for Group 6

GROUP 6: MAGNESIUM (Mg²⁺)

Test: F-5 + Na₂HPO₄ solution

Observation: White precipitate formed?

Result: YES → Mg²⁺ PRESENT

Confirmatory: Fresh O.S. + Magneson + NaOH → BLUE PPT/COLOR → Mg²⁺

CONFIRMED

PART 2: CONFIRMATORY TESTS (SPECIAL)

BLUE LAKE TEST (Confirmatory for Al³⁺)

Step 1: Take fresh O.S. (2-3 ml) in test tube

Step 2: Add NH₄OH drop by drop till alkaline (test with red litmus → turns blue)

 Observation: WHITE GELATINOUS PPT forms (Al(OH)₃)

 Equation: Al³⁺ + 3NH₄OH → Al(OH)₃↓ + 3NH₄⁺

Step 3: Add dilute HCl till ppt dissolves completely

  Observation: Colorless solution

 Equation: Al(OH)₃ + 3HCl → AlCl₃ + 3H₂O

Step 4: Add 2-3 drops of BLUE LITMUS solution

 Observation: Blue litmus turns RED (acidic)

Step 5: Add NH₄OH again drop by drop till alkaline

 Observation: BLUE GELATINOUS PRECIPITATE FLOATS ON SURFACE (like a

blue lake)

 Equation: AlCl₃ + 3NH₄OH → Al(OH)₃↓ (adsorbs blue litmus) + 3NH₄Cl

Result: BLUE FLOATING PRECIPITATE = Al³⁺ CONFIRMED ✓

Principle: Al(OH)₃ is gelatinous (high surface area), floats (less dense), and
strongly adsorbs blue litmus dye, creating a blue "lake"

BROWN RING TEST (Confirmatory for NO₃⁻)

Step 1: Take 2-3 ml fresh original salt solution in test tube

Step 2: Add freshly prepared FeSO₄ (Ferrous sulphate) solution (1-2 ml)

 Mix gently by swirling (DO NOT SHAKE)

Step 3: CAREFULLY add concentrated H₂SO₄

 Incline/tilt test tube at 45° angle

 Slowly pour conc. H₂SO₄ along inner side of test tube drop by drop

 H₂SO₄ forms a separate LOWER layer (DO NOT MIX!)

Step 4: Observe at the JUNCTION between two layers

 Observation: BROWN/DARK BROWN RING forms at interface

Result: BROWN RING AT JUNCTION = NO₃⁻ CONFIRMED ✓

Chemical Reactions:

 Reduction: NO₃⁻ + 3Fe²⁺ + 4H⁺ → NO + 3Fe³⁺ + 2H₂O

 Complex: Fe²⁺ + NO → [Fe(H₂O)₅(NO)]²⁺ (brown complex)

Important Notes:

 Use FRESHLY prepared FeSO₄ (old = brown/oxidized)

 Add H₂SO₄ slowly along sides (prevents mixing)

 DO NOT SHAKE after adding acid

 Sensitivity: Can detect 2.5 micrograms

PART 3: ANION GROUPS

GROUP 1: DILUTE ACID TEST (Gas Makers)

Test: Salt + dil. H₂SO₄

CO₃²⁻ (Carbonate):

 Observation: EFFERVESCENCE (bubbles), colorless odorless gas

 Confirmatory: Pass gas through lime water → turns MILKY

 Equation: CO₃²⁻ + H₂SO₄ → CO₂↑ + H₂O + SO₄²⁻

S²⁻ (Sulphide):

 Observation: ROTTEN EGG SMELL gas

 Confirmatory: Lead acetate paper → turns BLACK

 Equation: S²⁻ + H₂SO₄ → H₂S↑ + SO₄²⁻

GROUP 2: CONCENTRATED ACID TEST

Test: Salt + conc. H₂SO₄ + HEAT

Cl⁻ (Chloride):

 Observation: WHITE STEAMY FUMES (HCl)

 Confirmatory: Fresh O.S. + AgNO₃ + dil. HNO₃ → WHITE CURDY PPT

(soluble in NH₄OH)

Br⁻ (Bromide):

 Observation: BROWN/REDDISH-BROWN FUMES (Br₂)

 Confirmatory: Fresh O.S. + AgNO₃ + dil. HNO₃ → CREAM/PALE YELLOW PPT

I⁻ (Iodide):

 Observation: VIOLET FUMES (I₂)

 Confirmatory: Fresh O.S. + AgNO₃ + dil. HNO₃ → YELLOW PPT

NO₃⁻ (Nitrate):

 Brown Ring Test: See detailed procedure above

CH₃COO⁻ (Acetate):

 Observation: VINEGAR SMELL (acetic acid)

 Confirmatory: Fresh O.S. + neutral FeCl₃ → RED COLOR

C₂O₄²⁻ (Oxalate):
  Observation: COLORLESS GASES (CO + CO₂)

 Confirmatory: Fresh O.S. + CaCl₂ → WHITE PPT (soluble in dil. HCl)

GROUP 3: DIRECT PRECIPITATION TEST

SO₄²⁻ (Sulphate):

 Test: Fresh O.S. + BaCl₂ + dil. HCl

 Observation: WHITE PPT (insoluble in acids)

 Equation: Ba²⁺ + SO₄²⁻ → BaSO₄↓

PO₄³⁻ (Phosphate):

 Test: Fresh O.S. + Ammonium molybdate + conc. HNO₃ + HEAT

 Observation: CANARY YELLOW PPT

 Equation: PO₄³⁻ + 12(NH₄)₂MoO₄ + 24HNO₃ → (NH₄)₃PO₄·12MoO₃↓

COLORED ANIONS (Special Tests)

CrO₄²⁻ (Chromate):

 Visual: YELLOW solution/salt

 Confirmatory Tests:

1. Add dil. acid → Turns ORANGE (becomes Cr₂O₇²⁻)

2. Fresh O.S. + Lead acetate → YELLOW PPT

3. Fresh O.S. + BaCl₂ → YELLOW PPT

Cr₂O₇²⁻ (Dichromate):

 Visual: ORANGE solution/salt

 Confirmatory Tests:

1. Add NaOH → Turns YELLOW (becomes CrO₄²⁻)

2. Add H₂O₂ + ether + shake → BLUE color in ether layer

PART 4: KEY REAGENTS BY GROUP

 Group 0: NaOH + heat

 Group 1: Dilute HCl

 Group 2: H₂S in acidic medium (with dil. HCl)

 Group 3: NH₄Cl + NH₄OH

  Group 4: H₂S in alkaline medium (with NH₄OH)

 Group 5: (NH₄)₂CO₃ + flame test

 Group 6: Na₂HPO₄

Anion Groups:

 Group 1: Dil. H₂SO₄

 Group 2: Conc. H₂SO₄ + heat + Brown Ring Test for NO₃⁻

 Group 3: BaCl₂, Ammonium molybdate

 Special: CrO₄²⁻, Cr₂O₇²⁻ (color tests)

PART 5: IMPORTANT NOTES

1. Always start with Group 0 - don't skip!

2. Use filtrate sequentially from each group to next

3. Keep 3-4 test tubes of fresh O.S. for confirmatory tests

4. Acidic vs Alkaline for H₂S:

 Group 2: H₂S in ACIDIC (add dil. HCl first)

 Group 4: H₂S in ALKALINE (add NH₄OH first)

5. If original salt is GREEN (Fe²⁺), add HNO₃ + heat before Group 3

6. Use freshly prepared FeSO₄ for brown ring test

7. DO NOT SHAKE during brown ring test

8. Use BLUE litmus (not strips) for blue lake test

9. Add H₂SO₄ SLOWLY along sides in brown ring test

[Link] anion tests separate from cation tests

PART 6: PRELIMINARY OBSERVATION (Quick ID)

Color Clues:

 Blue/Green salt → Cu²⁺ (Group 2)

 Yellow/Brown salt → Fe³⁺ (Group 3)

 Green salt → Fe²⁺/Ni²⁺ (Group 3/4)

 Light Pink salt → Mn²⁺ (Group 4)

 Pink/Red salt → Co²⁺ (Group 4)

 White salt → Follow systematic analysis

Smell Clues (Anions):

 Vinegar smell → CH₃COO⁻

 Rotten egg → S²⁻

Color Clues (Anions):

 Yellow solution/salt → CrO₄²⁻

 Orange solution/salt → Cr₂O₇²⁻

PART 7: NESSLER'S REAGENT

Formula: K₂[HgI₄]

IUPAC Name: Potassium tetraiodomercurate(II)

Use: Confirmatory test for NH₄⁺

Reaction: 2K₂HgI₄ + NH₃ + 3KOH → Hg₂O·NH₂I↓ (brown) + 7KI + 2H₂O

Result: Brown precipitate = NH₄⁺ confirmed

PART 8: YOUR 8 FILE SALTS

1. Ammonium phosphate ((NH₄)₃PO₄) - Group 0 + Group 3

2. Lead acetate (Pb(CH₃COO)₂) - Group 1 + Group 2

3. Aluminium nitrate (Al(NO₃)₃) - Group 3 + Group 2

4. Zinc sulphide (ZnS) - Group 4 + Group 1

5. Barium bromide (BaBr₂) - Group 5 + Group 2

6. Strontium carbonate (SrCO₃) - Group 5 + Group 1

7. Calcium chloride (CaCl₂) - Group 5 + Group 2

8. Magnesium sulphate (MgSO₄) - Group 6 + Group 3

PART 9: QUICK MEMORY TRICKS

Cations:

 "Smell it" → NH₄⁺

 "HCl" → Pb²⁺

 "H₂S (acid)" → Cu²⁺/As³⁺

 "NH₄OH colors" → Al/Fe/Cr

 "H₂S (base)" → Zn/Mn/Ni/Co

  "Carbonate + Flame" → Ba/Sr/Ca

 "Phosphate" → Mg²⁺

Anions:

 "Dilute Gas" → CO₃²⁻, S²⁻

 "Concentrate Fumes" → Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻, NO₃⁻, CH₃COO⁻, C₂O₄²⁻

 "Direct Precipitate" → SO₄²⁻, PO₄³⁻

Special Tests:

 "White → Clear → Red → Blue Lake" = Al³⁺

 "Fresh Iron → Acid Layer → Brown Ring" = NO₃