What is salt?

Salts Salt is an ionic compound formed when the hydrogen ion, H+ from acid is replaced by a metal ion or ammonium ion, NH4+
2 types of salts :

Type of salt
Sodium salts Potassium salts Ammonium salts Nitrate salts

Soluble salt salts that can be dissolve in water at room temperature Insoluble salt salts cannot be dissolve in water at room temperature

Solubility in water
All dissolves in water

All dissolves in water All dissolves in water, Except: Lead(II) chloride, PbCl2 Silver chloride, AgCl Mercury chloride, HgCl Except: Lead(II) sulphate, PbSO4 Barium sulphate, BaSO4 Calcium sulphate, CaSO4

Chloride salts

All dissolves in water Sulphate salts

Carbonate salts

All did not dissolves in water, Except: Sodium carbonate, Na2CO3 Potassium carbonate, K2CO3 Ammonium carbonate, (NH4)2CO3

Special Properties of lead(II) chloride and lead(II) iodide

Lead halide such as lead(II) chloride (PbCl2), lead(II) bromide (PbBr2) & lead(II) iodide (PbI2) did
not dissolve in cold water but dissolve in hot water. PbCl2 are soluble in hot water.
White precipitate of PbCl2 White precipitate dissolves in hot water White precipitate formed when the water is cooled down.

PbI2 soluble in hot water.

Yellow precipitate of PbI2 Yellow precipitate dissolves in hot water Yellow crystals formed when the water is cooled
down.

Uses
Item Flavor Food preparation Preservatives Baking powder Agriculture Nitrogen fertilizers Pesticide Reduce stomach acidic (gastric) Medicine Sniff salt (fainted) Plaster of Paris (cement to support broken bone) Use

of salts
Example

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) Sodium chloride Sodium chloride - salted fish Sodium benzoate - sauce Sodium nitrite - processed meat, burger Sodium hydrogen carbonate Potassium nitrate Sodium nitrate Copper(II) sulphate Iron(II) sulphate Calcium carbonate Calcium hydrogen carbonate Ammonium carbonate Calcium sulphate

Preparation of Salt

Insoluble salt is prepared through precipitation reaction. Soluble salt is prepared by one of these reactions;
i. ii. iii. iv. Acid and alkali Acid and metal oxide Acid and metal carbonate Acid and reactive metal

Preparing Insoluble Salts

Through precipitation /double decomposition reactions. Involves :

2 [aq] solutions/soluble salts mix together 1 of the solutions contains the cations & 1 anions of the insoluble salt. The ions of the 2 [aq] solutions above interchange to produce 2 new compound which is insoluble salt/precipitate & [aq] solution. The precipitate produced is obtained by filtration. The residue left in the filter paper is the insoluble salt. The filtrate is soluble salt.

The residue/precipitate then rinsed with distilled water to remove other ions as impurities.

Ionic equation:

Pb2+ + 2Cl- PbCl2

Pb2+ ions combined with Clions to form white precipitate

Na+ ions and NO3- ions do not take

part in the reaction and are free to move in the solution Na+ NO3Na+ NO3-

PbCl2

Glass rod Mixture of solutions

Filter paper

Residue/precipitate (Insoluble salt) Filter funnel

Retort stand Filtrate (Soluble salt)

Chemical and ionic equations Chemical equation : MX(aq) + NY(aq) solution Y-(aq) MY(s) solution MY(s) + NX(aq) precipitate solution

Ionic equation

M+(aq) +

ii.

Preparation & purification of insoluble salts

Preparation of Plumbum(II) iodide

Chemical equation Ionic equation Step 1: Preparation : Pb(NO3)2 (aq) + 2KI (aq) PbI2 (s) + 2KNO3 (aq) : Pb2+ (aq) + 2I- (aq) PbI2 (s)

20 cm3 Lead(II) nitrat 0.1 mol dm-3

20 cm3 potassium iodide 0.1 mol dm-3

1. 20 cm3 lead(II) nitrate 0.1 mol dm-3 solution is measured with measuring cylinder 50 ml,

and poured into a beaker. 2. 20 cm3 potassium iodide 0.1 mol dm-3 solution is measured with measuring cylinder 50 ml and poured into a beaker contains lead(II) nitrate solution. 3. The mixture is stirred with a glass rod. A yellow precipitate is formed.

Glass rod Mixture of solutions Filter paper

Precipitate of lead(II) iodide (yellow) Filter funnel Beaker Sodium nitrate solution

Retort stand

4. The mixture is filtered to obtain the yellow solids of lead(II) iodide as the residue.

Step 2: Purification

Distilled water

Glass rod

Precipitate of lead(II) iodide

5. The residue is rinsed with distilled water to remove other ions in it.

Precipitate of lead(II) iodide

Filter paper

6. The yellow solid is dried by pressing between two pieces of filter paper.

b.

Soluble Salt
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i.

Preparaing Soluble Salt

Sodium salts Potassium salts Ammonium salts Acid + alkali salts + water

Soluble Salts Acid + metal oxide salts + water

Others salts

Acid + reactive metal

salts + hydrogen gas salt + water + carbon dioxide

Acid + metal carbonate

Notes: Reactive metal is magnesium, aluminium, and zinc Unreactive metal is iron, lead, silver a. Sodium, potassium or ammonium salts prepared from acid and alkali reaction. Salt NaCl K2SO4 NH4NO3 CH3COONa Alkali NaOH KOH NH3/NH4OH NaOH HCl H2SO4 HNO3 CH3COOH Acid Chemical equation NaOH + HCl NaCl + H2O 2KOH + H2SO4 K2SO4 + 2H2O NH3 + HNO3 NH4NO3 + H2O NaOH + CH3COOH CH3COONa + H2O

Note: To prepare the above salts, titration technique is use. b. Soluble salt (except sodium, potassium and ammonium salt) is prepared using these methods - Acid and metal - Acid and metal oxide - Acid and metal carbonate Name of Salt ZnCl2 Mg(NO)3 CuSO4 Pb(NO3)2 Acid that must be used HCl HNO3 H2SO4 HNO3 Substance that can be use to react with acid Metal Zn Mg Metal oxide ZnO MgO CuO PbO Metal carbonate ZnCO3 MgCO3 CuCO3 PbCO3

Write a chemical equation for each experiment above.

Remember this notes ok 6

1. Metal that is less reactive from hydrogen such as copper, lead and silver/argentum did not react with dilute acid. 2. Metal, metal oxide and metal carbonate above is a solid that cannot dissolves in water, hence during reaction that solid must be added excessively to make sure all hydrogen ions in acid is completely reacted. Excess solid can be expelling through filtration. 3. Impure soluble salt can be purified through crystallization process.

ii. Preparation and purification of soluble salts

A. Preparing soluble salt through reaction between acid and alkali. Preparation of Soluble Sodium, Potassium and ammonium Salts Soluble salts of sodium, potassium and ammonium can be prepared by the reaction between an acid and alkali. Acid (aq) + alkali (aq) Salt (aq) + Water (l) Procedure : Using pipette, 25 cm3 of alkali solution is measured and transferred into a conical flask. Two drops of phenolphthalein are added to the alkali solution. Dilute acid is place in a burette. The initial reading is recorded. Acid is added slowly into the alkali solution while shaking the conical flaks, until the pink solution turn colourless. The final reading of the burette is recorded. The volume of acid added, V cm3 is calculated. The experiment is repeated by adding V cm3 of acid to 25 cm3 of alkali solution in a beaker without using phenolphthalein as an indicator. The mixture is transferred into a evaporating dish. The mixture is heated until saturated and the saturated solution is allowed to cool at room temperature. Salt crystals formed are filtered and rinsed with a little of cold distilled water. Salt crystals are dried by pressing it between filter papers (or in oven) The reaction between acid and alkali is known as what process? Refer to acids and bases notes ok. Dont worry Ill help you.! Kita bukan along kita cuma nak tolong.

Example: Preparing sodium chloride Step 1: Preparation (Titration)

Burette

Retort stand

Hydrochloric acid

Conical flask 25 cm3 NaOH + phenolphthalein indicator 1. 25.0 cm3 sodium hydroxide solutions is pipette into conical flask.
2. Two drops of phenolphthalein indicator are added into conical flask. The colour of solution is recorded. 3. A 50 cm3 burette is filled with hydrochloric acid. The initial burette reading is recorded. 4. Hydrochloric acid is added gradually from a burette into conical flask and swirling the conical flask. 5. Titration is stopped when phenolphthalein changes from pink to colourless. The final burette reading is recorded. 6. The volume of hydrochloric acid used is calculated. 7. The experiment is repeated by adding hydrochloric acid (known volume) to 25.0 cm3 sodium hydroxide in a beaker without using phenolphthalein. Step 2: Preparation (Crystallization)

Evaporating dish Salt solution Bunsen burner

8. The mixture is transferred into a evaporating dish. 9. The colourless solution is slowly heated/evaporated until its saturated or to about one-third (1/3) of the original volume. 10. The saturated solution is then cooled to allow crystallization to occur. Step 3: Purification

Distilled water

Glass rod

Copper(II) sulphate Filter funnel

10. The white crystals formed are then filtered, rinsed with a little distilled water and dried by pressing between filter paper. Note: Phenolphthalein indicator is used at the beginning of the experiment to determine the volume of hydrochloric acid that is required to react completely with 25 cm3 of sodium hydroxide. However experiment is repeated without using phenolphthalein so that the salt prepared will not contaminated by the indicator.

B. Preparing soluble salt through reaction between acid i. Metal oxide. ii. Metal iii. Metal carbonate Procedure To Prepare a Soluble Salt (not Na, K or NH4+) 50 cm3 of acid is measured using a measuring cylinder and poured into a beaker. The acid is heated slowly.

Using a spatula, metal / metal oxide / metal carbonate powder is added a little at a time while stirring the mixture with a glass rod. The addition of the solid powder is stopped when some solids no longer dissolve anymore. (the solid is excess and all the acid is completely neutralised by the solid)

A cid

M etal oxid e P o w d erM etal carb o n ate of : M etal

H e a tin g

The mixture is filtered to remove the excess solid powder.

Excess of solid pow der

Filtrate (Salt solution)

The filtrate is transferred to an evaporating dish. The filtrate is heated until saturated. (The filtrate is evaporated to about one-third (1/3) of the original volume) The saturated solution is then allowed to cool to room temperature and the salt crystals are formed. The crystals are filtered and rinsed with a little cold distilled water. Salt crystals are then dried by pressing it between filter papers.

F iltr a te H e a tin g

S a tu r a te d s o lu tio n C r y sta ls

Example: Preparing copper(II) sulphate (Sulphuric acid and copper(II) oxide powder) Step 1: Preparation

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Spatula Stir Copper(II) oxide Glass rod Beaker Wire gauze xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Bunsen burner

50 cm3 sulphuric acid 0.1 mol dm-3

Tripod

1. 50 cm3 sulphuric acid 0.1 mol dm-3 is put in a beaker and is heated. 2. Using spatula copper(II) oxide powder is added a little at a time to the hot sulphuric acid while stirring
continuously with glass rod. 3. The addition of copper(II) oxide is stopped when solids powder remain undissolved.

Glass rod Reactant mixture

Excess copper(II) oxide

Copper(II) sulphate solution

4. 5. The mixture is filtered to remove the excess copper(II) oxide. The filtrate is transferred to an evaporating dish.

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Evaporating dish Copper(II) sulphate solution Bunsen burner

6. The filtrate is slowly heated/evaporated until its saturated, or to about one-third (1/3) of the original
7. volume. The saturated solution is then allowed to cool to room temperature.

Step 3: Purification

Glass rod Distilled water

Copper(II) sulphate

8. The crystals are filtered and rinsed with a little cold distilled water. 9. Salt crystals are then dried by pressing it between filter papers.
REMEMBER. THIS NOTES OK Unreactive metal such as lead (Pb), copper (Cu), and silver (Ag) cannot react with dilute asid. So to prepare salt contains lead ions (Pb2+), copper ions (Cu2+) or silver ions (Ag+), we must use either oxide powder or carbonate powder only. Example: CuO + H2SO4 CuSO4 + H2O (ok)

Cu

CuCO3 +

+ H2SO4

H2SO4 CuSO4 + H2O + CO2 (ok) no reaction (not ok)

B. Physical Characteristics of Crystals.

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A salt is made up of positive and negative ions. When these ions are packed closely with a regular and repeated arrangement in an orderly manner, a solid with definite geometry known as crystal lattice is formed.

All crystals have these physical characteristics: a) Reqular geometry shapes, such as cubic or hexagonal. b) Flat faces, straight edges and sharp angles. c) Same angle between adjacent faces. d) All crystals of the same salt have the same shape although the sizes may be different.

The solubility of a salt in water depends on the types of cations and anions present. Salt
Sodium, potassium and ammonium salts (Na+, K+, NH4+)

Solubility in water

All are soluble

C. Qualitative Analysis of Salts What is Qualitative analysis?

Nitrate salt (NO3-)

All are soluble

Qualitative analysis is a chemical technique used to determine what substances are present in a mixture but not their quantities.
In the

Chloride salt (Cl -)

All chloride salts are soluble in water except PbCl2, AgCl and HgCl2

Sulphate salt (SO42-)

All sulphate salts are soluble in water except PbSO4, BaSO4 and CaSO4

Carbonate salt (CO32-)

All carbonate salts are insoluble except Na2CO3, K2CO3 and (NH4)2CO3

qualitative analysis of salts, we need to identify the ions that are present in

salts. This can be done by analysing their physical and chemical properties.

Observations on the physical properties of salts

1. Colour and solubility in water

Certain physical properties of salts such colour and solubitity in water are observed to help us infer certain cations and anions that are present in salts. The table shows the colour of salts in solid , in aqueous solution and the solubility of salts in water Solubility in water soluble soluble insoluble soluble

Salt 1. Ammonium chloride NH4Cl 2. Ammonium nitrateNH4(NO3)3 3. Calcium carbonate CaCO3 4. Calcium nitrate Ca(NO3)2

Colour in solid white white white white

Colour in Aqueous solution colourless colourless colourless

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5. Magnesium sulphate MgSO4 6. Magnesium carbonate MgCO3 7. Zinc sulphate Zn SO4 8. Zinc nitrate Zn(NO3)2 9. Lead(II) chloride , PbCl2 10. Lead(II) sulphate , PbSO4 11. Lead(II) carbonate , PbCO3 12. Copper(II) chloride , CuCl2 13 Copper(II) sulphate , PbSO4 14. Copper(II) carbonate , PbCO3 15. Iron(II) sulphate , FeSO4 16. Iron(III) chloride , FeCl3 17. Sodium nitrate , NaNO3 18, Sodium carbonate , Na2CO3 19. Potassium nitrate , KNO3 20. Potassium carbonate , K2CO3

white white white white white white white Blue Blue Green Green Brown / Yellow white white white white

soluble insoluble soluble soluble insoluble insoluble insoluble soluble soluble insoluble soluble soluble soluble soluble soluble soluble

colourless colourless colourless Blue Blue Pale green Brown/Yellow/ Yellowish brown colourless colourless colourless colourless

The table shows the colour of different cations in the solid form or in aqueous solution Observation Blue solution Inference Ion copper (Cu2+ ) present

Pale green solution Yellow/Yellowishbrown/brown solution Green solid

Ion Iron(II) Fe2+ present

Ion Iron (III) Fe3+ present

Hydrated Fe 2+, CuCO3

Brown solid

Hydrated Fe 3+ salt Salts of Na+ , K+ ,NH4+, Mg 2+, Ca 2+ Al 3+ , Zn 2+, Pb 2+ (If the anions are colourless Na+ , K+ ,NH4+, Mg 2+, Ca 2+ , Al 3+ , Zn 2+, Pb 2+

White solid

Colourless solution

The table shows the solubility of different types of salts in water Compounds Sodium salts Potassium salts Ammonium salts Solubility in water

All are soluble

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Nitrate salts

All are soluble

Chloride salts

All are soluble except AgCl, HgCl and PbCl2 (soluble in hot water)

Sulphate salts

All are soluble except BaSO4, PbSO4 and CaSO4

Carbonate salts

All are insoluble except sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate and ammonium carbonate

2. Tests for gases

Gases are often produced from reactions carried out during laboratory tests on salts. By identifying the gases evolved,it is possible to infer the types of cations and anions that are present in a salt. The table shows the test and the result of different gases Gas Test Test with a glowing wooden splinter Result

Oxygen gas, O2

Wooden splinter is rekindled /lighted

Hydrogen gas , H2

Test with a lighted wooden splinter

Gas explodes with a pop sound

Carbon dioxide gas , CO2

Bubble the gas produced into lime water

Lime water turns milky

Ammonia gas, NH3

Test with moist red litmus paper

Moist red litmus paper turns blue

Chlorine gas, Cl2

Test with moist blue litmus paper

Moist blue litmus paper turns red and then turns white

Hydrogen chlorine gas , HCl

Test with a drop of concentrated ammonia NH3 solution Bubble the gas produced into purple acidified potassium manganate (VII), KMnO4 solution

Dense white fumes

Sulphur dioxide gas , SO2

Purple acidified potassium manganate (VII),KMnO4 solution decolourises

Nitrogen dioxide gas , NO2

Test with moist blue litmus paper

moist blue litmus paper turns red

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3.

Action of heat on salts

Effect of heat on carbonate salts Colour of salt before heating Colour of residue Hot Black powder cold Black powder The gas liberated turns lime water milky/chalky The gas liberated turns lime water milky/chalky The gas liberated turns lime water milky/chalky No change The gas liberated turns lime water milky/chalky No change The gas liberated turns lime water milky/chalky

Carbonate salt

Effect on lime water

Copper (II) carbonate, CuCO3 Zinc carbonate , ZnCO3 Lead(II) carbonate, PbCO3 Sodium carbonate, Na2CO3 Calcium carbonate, CaCO3 Potassium carbonate, K2CO3 Magnesium carbonate, MgCO3

Green powder

White solid

Yelow solid

White solid

White solid

Brown sold

Yelow solid

White solid

White solid

White solid

White solid

White solid

White solid

White solid

White solid

White solid

White solid

White solid

White solid

Effect of heat on nitrate salts Colour of salt before heating Colour of residue Hot Black powder cold Black powder

Nitrate Salt

Test on gases liberated A brown gas that turns blue litmus paper red is liberated. The gas liberated also ignites a glowing splinter A browan gas that turns blue litmus paper red is liberated. The gas liberated also ignites a glowing splinter A browan gas that turns blue litmus paper red is liberated. The gas liberated also ignites a glowing splinter A colourless gas that rekindles a glowing splinter is liberated A browan gas that turns blue litmus paper red is liberated. The gas liberated also ignites a glowing splinter

Copper (II) nitrate, Cu(NO3)2

Blue solid

Zinc nitrate, Zn(NO3)2

White solid

Yellow solid

White solid

Lead(II) nitrate, Pb(NO3)2

White solid

Brown solid

Yellow solid

Sodium nitrate, NaNO3

White solid

White solid

White solid

Calcium nitrate, Ca(NO3)2

White solid

White solid

White solid

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Potassium nitrate, KNO3

White solid

White solid

White solid

A colourless gas that rekindles a glowing splinter is liberated A browan gas that turns blue litmus paper red is liberated. The gas liberated also ignites a glowing splinter A browan gas that turns blue litmus paper red is liberated. The gas liberated also ignites a glowing splinter A browan gas that turns blue litmus paper red is liberated. The gas liberated also ignites a glowing splinter

Magnesium nitrate, Mg(NO3)2

White solid

White solid

White solid

Iron(II) nitrate, Fe(NO3)2

Pale Green solid

Pale Green solid

Pale Green solid

Iron(III) nitrate, Fe(NO3)3

Brown solid

ReddishBrown solid

ReddishBrown solid

The table shows the comparison of the effect of heat on carbonate and nitrate salts Metal Potassium Sodium Calcium Magnesium Aluminium Zinc Iron Tin Lead Copper Mercury Silver Gold Effect of heat on carbonate salt Are not decomposed by heat Effect of heat on nitrate salt Decompose to nitrite salt and oxygen gas.

Decompose to metal oxide and carbon dioxide gas.

Decompose to metal oxide, nitrogen dioxide gas and oxygen gas.

Decompose to metal, carbon dioxide gas and oxygen gas.

Decompose to metal , nitrogen dioxide gas and oxygen gas.

Most sulphate salts are not decomposed by heat. Only a few sulphate such as iron(II) sulphate,zinc sulphate and copper sulphate decompose to sulphur dioxide or sulphur trioxide gas when heated. All chloride salts are stable when heated except ammonium chloride. Ammonium chloride sublimes and decomposes to produce ammonia gas and hydrogen chloride gas. The table shows the deduction of the types of ion present based on the gas produced Type of gas produced CO2 O2 NO2 SO2 NH3 Type of ion present(anion) Carbonate ion (CO3 2- ) present except Na2CO3 and K2CO3 Nitrate ion (NO3-) present Nitrate ion (NO3-) present except NaNO3 and KNO3 Sulphate ion (SO4 2- ) present Ammonim ion (NH4+) present

Tests for anions

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Reagent / Condition 2 cm3 the unknown solution + dilute hydrochloric acid / nitric acid / sulphuric acid pour into a test tube gas liberated is immediately bubbled through lime water. 2 cm3 of nitric acid + 2 cm3 of the unknown solution pour into a test tube + 2 cm3 silver nitrate solution 2 cm3 of dilute hydrochloric acid / nitric acid + 2 cm3 of the unknown solution pour into a test tube + 2 cm3 of barium chloride / barium nitrate solution shake well 2 cm3 of the unknown solution pour into a test tube 2 cm3 of dilute sulphuric acid + 2 cm3 of iron(II) sulphate solution shake well. Then drop carefully and slowly a few drops of concentrated sulphuric acid along the side of a slanting test tube into the mixture without shaking it.

Observation Effervescence. Colourless gas turns lime water milky.

Anion CO32- ion

Ionic Equation (if any) CO32- + 2H+ CO2 + H2 O

White precipitate is formed.

Cl- ion

Ag+ + Cl- AgCl

White precipitate is formed.

SO42- ion

Ba2+ + SO42 - BaSO4

Brown ring is formed at the boundary between the concentrated H2SO4 (top layer) and aqueous solution of the mixture (bottom layer)

NO3- ion

Tests for cations Confirmatory Test for Fe2+, Fe3+, Pb2+, NH4+ Ions
Confirmatory Test for Fe2+ Reagent Potassium hexacyanoferrate(II) solution Potassium hexacyanoferrate(III) solution Potassium thiocyanate solution Observation Pale blue precipitate Dark blue precipitate Dark blue precipitate Greenish-brown solution Pale red colouration Blood red colouration Confirmatory Test for Pb2+ Method Using aqueous solution of chloride - 2 cm3 of any solution of Cl- + 2 cm3 of any solution of Pb2+ dilute with 5 cm3 of distilled water Conclusion Fe2+ ion is present Fe3+ ion is present Fe2+ ion is present Fe3+ ion is present Fe2+ ion is present Fe3+ ion is present

Observation - A white precipitate is formed When heated dissolve in water to form colourless

Ionic Equation Pb2+ + 2Cl- PbCl2

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heat until no further change occurs allow the content to cool to room temperature using running water from the tap Using aqueous solution of iodide - 2 cm3 of any solution of I- + 2 cm3 of any solution of Pb2+ dilute with 5 cm3 of distilled water heat until no further change occurs allow the content to cool to room temperature using running water from the tap

solution When cooled white precipitate reappear - A yellow precipitate is formed When heated dissolve in water to form colourless solution When cooled yellow precipitate reappear

Pb2+ + 2I- PbI2

Confirmatory Test for NH4+ Method

Observation - Moist red litmus paper turns blue

2 cm3 of any solution of NH4+ + 2 cm3 of NaOH / KOH / Ca(OH)2 heat put a piece of moist red litmus paper at the mouth of the test tube

Reaction with Nesslers Reagent

- A brown precipitate is formed

2 cm3 of any solution of NH4+ + 2 cm3 of Nesslers Reagent shake well

Reaction of Cations With NaOH

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Sodium hydroxide solution is poured slowly into 2 cm3 of the solution to be tested in a test tube, until in excess.

Cations

+ NaOH (aq)

No precipitate

Precipitate produced

White precipitate

Coloured precipitate

Green NH4+ K+ Na+ Fe

2+

Blue Cu
2+

Brown Fe2+

warm NH3 gas produced

Dissolve in excess NaOH (aq) to form colourless solution

Insoluble in excess NaOH (aq)

Pb2+
Pb2+ Ca2+ Zn2+ Mg2+ Al3+

Zn2+

Al3+

Ca2+

Mg2+

: White precipitate dissolves in excess NaOH : White precipitate insoluble in excess NaOH

Reaction of Cations With NH3

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Aqueous ammonia solution is poured slowly into 2 cm3 of the solution to be tested in a test tube until in excess.

Cations + NH3 (aq)

No precipitate

Precipitate produced

White precipitate NH
+ 4

Coloured precipitate Blue

Cu2+ Fe2+

Na

Ca

2+

Green Fe2+

Brown

NH3 gas produced

Dark blue

+ excess NH3 (aq)

warm Dissolve in excess NH

(aq) to form colourless solution

Insoluble in excess NH3 (aq)

solution

Zn2+

Pb2+

Al3+

Mg2+

Zn2+ Pb2+ Al3+

: White precipitate dissolves in excess NH3

Mg2+

: White precipitate insoluble in excess NH3

Zn2+ ion is the only cation that form white precipitate & dissolves in both excess NaOH & NH3. Mg2+ ion is the only cation that form white precipitate & insoluble in both excess NaOH & NH3. Ca2+ ion in the only cation that form white precipitate in NaOH solutions, but no precipitate in NH3 solution. Fe2+ , Fe3+ and Cu2+ ions is easy to spot because the ions shows coloured precipitate. Pb2+ ion and Al3+ ion form white precipitate and dissolves in excess NaOH solution, but insoluble in excess NH3 solutions.

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