Qualitative Salt Analysis

QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS OF INORGANIC SALT
ANIONS: CO32- , S2- , SO32- , SO42- , NO2- , NO3- , Cl- , Br2- , PO43- , CH3COOCATIONS: Pb2+ ,Hg2+ ,Cu2+ ,Cd2+ , Ag+ ,As3+ Fe2+ , Fe3+ , Al3+ , Zn2+ , Mn2+ , Co2+ , Sr2+ , Ba2+ , Mg2+ , NH4+
PRELIMINARY
TESTS
1. Note the state (amorphous or crystalline) and colour of salt.

2. Test the solubility of the salt in the following solutions:
i. Water (cold and hot)
ii. Dilute HCl (cold and hot)
iii. Dilute HNO3 (cold and hot) Only important stuff for Class12 practical syllabus has been included, not everything.
Test mentioned next to group is the preliminary test; the ones mentioned under bold letters is
confirmatory tests for it.
IDENTIFICATION OF ACID RADICALS
(ANIONS)
This part is the classified into three groups:
FIRST GROUP OF ANIONS

[ dil H2SO4 or Dil HCl group ]
The acid radicals involved in this group are carbonate(CO32-), Sulphide(S2-), Sulphite(SO32-),
Thiosulphate (S2O32-) and nitrite(NO2-). The group reagent is dilute hydrochloric acid.
Carbonate , (CO32-)
EXPERIMENT
Pinch of Salt +Dil.H2SO4 or dil. HCl
Observation
Effervescence or evolution of
Colourless, odourless gas
INFERENCE
1st group of acid radicals is
present
Carbonate may be. Note If
Note: ifNo
reaction with Dil.H2SO4 : Group
I anion are absent. Continue to group II.
1 gas passed in to lime water
gas passed in to lime water

turns
lime water milky
2
On prolonged passage of carbon the turbidity slowly disappears
dioxide in lime water,
3
radical may be CO32
white ppt is Formed
CO32-confirmed
white ppt is Formed
CO32-confirmed
WATER EXTRACT + MgSO4

4WATER EXTRACT +BaCl2
radical may be CO32-
MUKESH SHARMA , DPS JODHPUR
Sulphide (S2-)
EXPERIMENT
Observation
(i)Pinch of salt + Dil H2SO4

(ii) Gas + lead acetate paper on T.T.
1. WE+ sodium nitroprusside
A colorless gas with a smell of rotten

eggs (H2S) is evolved
lead acetate paper turns black

Violet colour is formed
W.E. Water extract: Pinch of salt + water
2. WE + lead acetate
(aq)
black ppt is formed
INFERENCE
Sulphide S
2-
may be
Sulphide S
2-
may be
Sulphide S
2-
confirmed
Sulphide S
2-
confirmed
Sulphite (SO32-)
(i)Pinch of salt + Dil H2SO4
(II)the gas through acidified K2Cr2O7
solution.
(iii)the gas evolved + Lime water
1. WE + BaCl2 (aq) =
Colourless gas with suffocating smell.
SULPHITE (SO32- )may

be
The solution turns green

be
a milky ppt is formed

be
white ppt soluble in dil HCl
SULPHITE (SO32- )
CONFIRMED
2. WE + acidified K2Cr2O7
sol turns green
SULPHITE (SO32- )
CONFIRMED
Acetate (CH3COO- )
Dry Salt +Dil.H2SO4 or dil. HCl
(f) Colourless gas with the smell of

vinegar
1Dry Salt +oxalic acid + 2-3 drop water On rubbing the paste Strong
vinegar like smelling
The acid radical may be CH3COOThe acid radical may be CH3COO-
2 Ferric chloride test: [W.E.]Salt

solution + Neutral FeCl3 sol.
Add dil HCl to red colour
Appearance of blood red colour.
red colour disappears
Acetate is confirmed
3. Ester test: Salt + conc H2SO4+
fruity smell of ester
Acetate is confirmed
ethanol
Nitrite (NO2-)
Pinch of salt + Dil H2SO4
Colorless gas followed by brown gas
Nitrite (NO2-) may b e
Gas + starch iodide paper on TT
it turns starch iodide paper

blue.
Nitrite (NO2-) may b e
WE + dil H2SO4 (or dil acetic acid);

boil, then add solid KI + fresh
deep blue colouration
starch soln
Nitrite (NO2-) confirmed
SECOND GROUP OF ACID

RADICALS
[ Concentreted H2SO4] group
The acid radicals involved in this group are Cl-, Br- ,I- and NO3- . The group reagent is concentrated
sulphuric acid (H2SO4). Confirmatory tests for radicals of this group are done with
.Preparation of soda extract : Take a little amount of salt mixture + Na 2CO3 (solid ) in the ratio 1:3 and add
distilled water .Boil and filter . The filtrate is called the soda extract
soda extract
EXPERIMENT
Pinch of Salt + Conc. H2SO4 and heat
Observation
Effervescence with colourless or
coloured gases
Chloride (Cl-)
Pinch of Salt + Conc. H2SO4 and
heat
above gas + glass rod dipped in
ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH)
(i) Silver Nitrate test: soda
extract + AgNO3 solution +

dilute HNO3 , then ppt + NH3
(ii) Salt with MnO2 and conc.
H2SO4,
INFERENCE
2nd group Acid radical is
present
Colourless gas with a pungent smell is The Acid radical may be Clexpelled
gives dense white fumes when a glass rod The Acid radical may be Cl
dipped in ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH)
is exposed.
White
ppt.
is
formed
then ppt. is soluble in NH4OH.
yellowish green colour is obtained.
(iii) Chromyl Chloride test:.Salt + few

Red vapours are obtained. The
K2Cr2O7 crystals + conc. H2SO4 and
heat Pass the vapours through the test
solution turns yellow. Yellow ppt.
tube which contains NaOH solution.
To this yellow solution, add dilute
is formed
CH3COOH and lead acetate solution.
Chloride is confirmed.
Chloride is confirmed
Chloride is confirmed.
Bromide (Br-)
(i)Salt + MnO2 and conc. H2SO4

(i)Silver Nitrate test:
soda extract + AgNO3 solution +
dilute HNO3,then ppt + NH3
(iii) organic layer Test: soda
extract + two drops of CCl4 + 1ml
chlorine water and shake well.
Brown gas and the solution is not blue.

Brown gas get intensify
A pale yellow ppt.

slightly soluble in NH4OH is
obtained.
An red brown layer is

obtained
Iodide (I-)
3
The acid radical may be Brradical may be Br
Bromide is confirmed.
Bromide is confirmed.
EXPERIMENT
Silver nitrate solution
soda extract + AgNO3

soda extract + Copper sulphate
solution
Observation
INFERENCE
The acid radical may be I-
Violet vapours.
Yellow, curdy ppt. of silver iodide
I- is confirmed
AgI
Gives brown ppt. consisting of a
I- is confirmed
mixture of copper (I) iodide
Nitrate (NO3-)
The Acid radical may be NO3-
Light brown gas
the solution turns blue in the test
(i)Pinch of Salt + Conc. H2SO4 + copper tube and brown fumes get intensify
turning and heat
(ii)Brown ring test: soda extract + 2
A brown ring is formed at the
junction of two liquids.
or 3 drops of conc. H2SO4, and cool.
Add freshly prepared
FeSO4 solution on the sides of the test
tube.
Sulphate (SO42-), Phosphate (PO43-)

Pinch of Salt + dil. H2SO4 and heat
O.S.+ BaCl2 water

Above white ppt + warm dil. HCl
O.S.+ Mercury (II) nitrate
Lead acetate test: WE + lead

acetate (aq) + acetic acid.
Ammonium Molybdate Test: 2ml of

soda extract 1 +
dilute HNO3 + Ammonium Molybdate
solution.
Nitrate is confirmed
Nitrate is confirmed.
THIRD GROUP OF ACID RADICALS
No observation
Ist and 2nd group absent
No observation
White ppt. of barium sulphate
(SO42-) may be
(SO42-) confirmed
BaSO4
insoluble in warm dil. HCl
(SO42-) confirmed
Yellow ppt
(SO42-) confirmed
white ppt soluble in CH3COONH4

(ammonium acetate)
acetate
A canary yellow precipitate is
obtained.
Sulphate (SO42-) is
confirmed
Phosphate (PO43-) is
confirmed.
ANALYSIS OF BASIC RADICALS OR CATIONS

This is classified into 6 groups. They are mentioned as below:
GROUP
RADICALS
2+
Pb
2+
II
Pb
III
Al
IV
2+
Zn
,Hg
3+
,Cu
2+
,Fe
2+
Mg
Dilute HCl + H2S gas.
, Fe
,Co
,Sr
,Cd
2+
3+
2+
2+
Dilute Hydrochloric acid(HCl)
2+
,Mn
Ca
VI
,Ag
2+
2+
GROUP REAGENTS
2+
NH4Cl(s) + NH4OH
2+
,Ni
NH4Cl(s) + NH4OH + H2S gas
2+
NH4Cl(s) + NH4OH + (NH4) 2CO3
,Ba
, NH4
-Nil-
Preparation of Original solution: salt + water + heat = O.S.

This test is carried out before starting the analysis for the basic radicals.
Ammonium (NH4+)
EXPERIMENT
(a) Salt + NaOH solution and heat it.
Expose a glass rod dipped in conc.
HCl to the gas and moist red litmus
paper.
(b) Original solution + Nesselers
reagent.
OBSERVATION
INFERENCE
Colourless gas with a pungent smell is

obtained.
Dense white fumes and moist red
litmus paper turns blue
NH4+ may be present in the

salt
Brown solution or ppt. is obtained
NH4+ is confirmed.
FIRST GROUP OF BASIC RADICALS

The basic radicals of this group are Pb2+ & Ag+ .The group reagent is dilute HCl.
EXPERIMENT
OBSERVATION
INFERENCE
Plumbus (Pb2+)
(1) Original solution + Dilute HCl
Filter and add water to ppt.
and heat
White ppt. is formed.
first group present May be

Pb2+ & Ag+
(a) ppt. dissolves in hot water.
May be Pb2+
(b) ppt. is insoluble in water.
May be Ag+
(2) Original solution + Potassium

Chromate solution.
Pb2+ is confirmed.
A yellow ppt. is formed. The ppt.
isinsoluble in acetic acid but

soluble in NaOH
(3) Original solution + KI sol.
The yellow ppt. is insoluble in hot water.
Pb2+ is confirmed
ppt. obtained + water and heat it.
Silver (Ag+)
(1) Original solution + Potassium
Chromate solution
(2)Original solution + KI sol.
A brick red ppt. is formed.
Ag+ is confirmed
A yellow ppt. soluble in hot water, on

cooling reappears as golden yellow
spangles
ppt. obtained + water and

heat it.
Ag+ is confirmed.
SECOND GROUP OF BASIC RADICALS

The basic radicals of this group are Pb2+, Hg2+, Cu2+ and Cd2+.The group reagent is Dilute HCl + H2S gas.
Cadmium (Cd2+)
EXPERIMENT
OBSERVATION
May be Cd2+
(a)A yellow ppt. is observed.
Original solution + Dilute HCl + H2S

gas.
May Pb2
Hg2+Cu2+
(b)A Black ppt. is observed.
(1) Original solution + with ammonium
hydroxide
INFERENCE
Cd2+ is
confirmed.
A white ppt. is formed. Which
dissolves in excess of NH3 .
Arsenic (As3+)
EXPERIMENT
(a) Original solution + Dilute HCl
+ H2S gas.
OBSERVATION
A YELLOW ppt. is observed.
INFERENCE
May be As
Boil the yellow ppt into yellow

ammonium sulphide
And divide in two parts
Ppt get dissove
May be As
1part + conc HNO3+ ammonium

molybdate+ heat
A YELLOW ppt. is observed
As
3+
3+
3+
confirmed
2 part + NH3+ magnesia mixure

(MgSO4 + NH4Cl+ NH4OH)
A white Ppt is formed
EXPERIMENT
3+
As
confirmed
OBSERVATION
INFERENCE
Cupric (Cu2+)
(a) Original solution + Dilute HCl + H2S gas.
A Black ppt. is observed.

A bluish white ppt. soluble in excess
of NH4OH is observed which gives
rise to a deep blue solution.
(b)Original solution + NH4OH

(c) Original solution + dil. acetic
acid + potassium Ferro cyanide sol.
May be Cu2+ or Hg2+
May be Cu2+
Cu2+ is confirmed.
A chocolate red ppt. is observed.
W.E.+Potassium Iodide
Cu2+ is confirmed.
intensely brown solution
Mercuric (Hg2+)
(a) Original solution + Dilute HCl + H2S gas.
(b) Dissolve the black ppt. in aqua regia 2 +
1ml of distilled water, heat & add 2 drops
of SnCl2
A Black ppt. is observed.
May be Cu2+ or Hg2+
A white ppt. is observed which turns

grey.
Hg2+ is confirmed.
Bismuth (Bi+3)
O.S.+ dil HCl + H2S
A Blackish brown ppt is observed.
Boiling the ppt + conc. HCl
dissolves the precipitate
O.S.+ NaOH:
White ppt ,
Above white ppt + dil HCl
Soluble in acid
Bi+3
be
may
Bi+3 is
confirmed
Bi+3 is
confirmed
Bi+3 is
confirmed
Aqua regia is mixture of 3 drops of HCl + 1 drop of HNO3
THIRD GROUP OF BASIC RADICALS

The basic radicals of this group are Al3+, Fe2+ and Fe3+ .The group reagent is solid NH4Cl + NH4OH
If ferrous salt has been given,convert to ferric: OS + concHNO3 + heat = brown ppt; then do reaction with group
reagent
EXPERIMENT
(1) Original solution + NH4Cl(s) +
NH4OH in excess
OBSERVATION
INFERENCE
(a) A white gelatinous ppt. is obtained.
May be Al3+
(b) A dirty green ppt. is obtained
May be Fe2+
(c) A reddish brown ppt. is obtained
May be Fe3+
Aluminum (Al3+)
(1) Original solution + NH4Cl(s) + NH4OH in
excess
(a) White gelatinous ppt.
White precipitate of Al(OH)3+ NaOH
soluble in excess of NaOH
solution
Above solution of + solid NH4Cl and heat
Blue lake test: group ppt + dilHCl , + blue

litmus and
NH4OH (drop-by-drop)
The white gelatinous ppt. reappears.
Dil HCl gives clear sol finally blue

colour layer ('lake') floats over colourless
sol
The basic radical is

Al3+
The basic radical is Al3+
Al3+ is confirmed.
Al3+ is confirmed
Ferrous (Fe2+)
Original solution + NH4Cl(s) + NH4OH in
excess
(a)Dirty green ppt. insoluble in excess of

NaOH

Fe2+
If salt contain Fe3
(b) Reddish brown ppt. insoluble in excess

of NaOH

Fe3+
Original solution + acidified KMnO4

solution which is added drop wise.
(a) The pink colour of KMnO4 is

discharged.
Fe2+ is
confirmed.
Ferric (Fe3+)
Original solution + NH4Cl(s) + NH4OH in
excess + conc. HNO3
Reddish brown ppt. insoluble in excess

of NaOH
Original solution + acidified KMnO4

solution which is added drop wise.
The pink colour of KMnO4 is not

discharged.
Brown ppt + HCl; then divide into two

parts, 1 part + K4[Fe(CN)6]
Purssian blue ppt / colour
2 part + KCNS
blood red colour
Fe3+ is
confirmed.
Fe3+ is confirmed
Fe3+ is confirmed
FOURTH GROUP OF BASIC RADICALS

The basic radicals of this group are Zn2+, Mn2+, Co2+ & Ni2+.The group reagent is excess NH4OH
And H2S(g).
EXPERIMENT
excess + H2S(g)
OBS
ERV
(a) a white ppt. is obtained
ATI
(b) Buff or pale pink
ON or flash
coloured ppt. soluble in dilute
HCl is obtained.
(c)Black precipitate NiS or CoS
INFERENCE
May be Zn2+,
May be Mn2+
May be Ni2+ or Co2+
Zinc (Zn2+)
Original solution + NH4Cl(s)
+ NH4OH in excess + H2S(g)
Dissolve the ppt. in dilute HCl and divide n two
part ,1st part + NaOH drop by drop.
2nd part + potassium ferrocynide
2+
The white ppt. is soluble in excess of Zn is confirmed
NaOH giving a colourless solution.
The precipitate reformed

a bluish white ppt. is obtained
Zn2+ is confirmed
Zn2+ is confirmed
Manganese (Mn2+)
Original solution + NH4Cl(s) + NH4OH in excess +
H2S(g)
(b) Buff or pale pink or flash coloured

ppt. soluble in dilute HCl is obtained.
May be Mn2+
2+
(b) The white ppt. insoluble in excess Mn is confirmed
of
(2) O.S. + Br2 water.Boil and filter. The ppt. is NaOH but turns brown.
treated with conc. HNO3 and PbO2 or Pb3O4 (red
lead) The contents are heated. Keep the test
Mn2+ is confirmed
Purple
coloured
solution.
tube for sometime
(1) Original solution + NaOH

solution+.
If ppt is black [Co2+orNi2+] Dissolve ppt in aqua regia and evaporate sol to dryness to get residue:
Blue residue Co2+:and Yellow residue Ni2+
Nickel (Ni2+)
H2S(g)
Black precipitate
Dissolve ppt in aqua regia 10 and evaporate sol to

dryness
Yellow residue + add 1ml of water or dilute HCl
and divide in 2 parts, 1part+add dimethyl
glyaxime reagent + NH4OH.
Yellow residue Ni2+
Part II + NaHCO3 + Br2 water
Ni2+ may be
A pink ppt. is obtained.
Ni2+ is confirmed.
Black ppt.
Ni2+ is confirmed.
Cobalt (Co2+)
9
May be Ni2+ or
Co2+

H2S(g)
Black precipitate
Dissolve ppt in aqua regia 10 and evaporate sol to

blue residue Co2+
dryness
add 1ml of distilled water to residue and divide A Blue colour in the alcohol
the resultant product into two parts.
layer is obtained.
Part (1) + 1 ml of amyl alcohol + 100 mg of solid
NH4SCN and stir it.
Part 2 + dil acetic acid + KNO2 + warm
yellow ppt
May be Ni2+ or
Co2+
Co2+ may be
Co2+ is
confirmed
Co2+ is
confirmed
FIFTH GROUP OF BASIC RADICALS

The basic radicals of this group are Ca2+, Sr2+ & Ba2+ .The group reagent is NH4Cl(s) + NH4OH and
(NH4)2 CO3.
EXPERIMENT
excess + (NH4)2 CO3 solution.
OBSERVATION
(a) A white ppt. is obtained.
INFERENCE
May be Ca2+, Sr2+ or
Ba2+
Barium (Ba2+)
(2) Dissolve the white ppt. obtained in small
amounts of dilute acetic acid. Divide the
solution in three parts.
Part (1) + Potassium chromate solution
(3)Flame tests: Make a paste of the given
salt with few drops of Conc. HCl in a watch
glass. Heat a Pt. wire in non luminous flame
till no colour is imparted to the flame. Dip
the Pt. wire in the paste and hold it in the
flame.
A yellow ppt. is obtained.
May be Ba2+
.
(a) Apple green coloured flame is

obtained.
Ba2+ is confirmed.

Ba2+
Strontium (Sr2+)
10

Part (2) + Calcium Sulphate Sol. and heat.
Flame tests: Make a paste of the given salt
with few drops of Conc. HCl in a watch
flame.
No yellow ppt is formed

white ppt is formed
Crimson red coloured flame is
obtained.
May be Ca2+, Sr2

Sr2+ is confirmed.
Sr2+ is confirmed.
Calcium (Ca2+)

Ba2+

No yellow ppt is formed
Part (2) + Calcium Sulphate Sol. and heat.
No white ppt is formed
Part (3) + Ammonium exalate solution.

Flame tests: Make a paste of the given salt
with few drops of Conc. HCl in a watch
flame.
A white ppt. is obtained.

(c) Brick red coloured flame is
obtained,
May be Ca2+, Sr2

May be Ca2+ .
May be Ca2+ .
Ca2+ is confirmed.
Mg2+ SIXTH GROUP OF BASIC RADICALS

EXPERIMENT
OBSERVATION
INFERENCE
Magnesium Mg2+
(1) Original solution + excess of NH4OH +
Ammonium Hydrogen Phosphate.
11
A white ppt. is obtained.
Mg2+ is confirmed.

Qualitative Salt Analysis

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Qualitative Salt Analysis

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QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS OF INORGANIC SALT

1. Note the state (amorphous or crystalline) and colour of salt.

FIRST GROUP OF ANIONS

Pinch of Salt +Dil.H2SO4 or dil. HCl

reaction with Dil.H2SO4 : Group

I anion are absent. Continue to group II.

1 gas passed in to lime water

gas passed in to lime water

radical may be CO32

white ppt is Formed

white ppt is Formed

WATER EXTRACT + MgSO4

radical may be CO32-

MUKESH SHARMA , DPS JODHPUR

(i)Pinch of salt + Dil H2SO4

1. WE+ sodium nitroprusside

A colorless gas with a smell of rotten

lead acetate paper turns black

W.E. Water extract: Pinch of salt + water

black ppt is formed

Colourless gas with suffocating smell.

SULPHITE (SO32- )may

The solution turns green

SULPHITE (SO32- )may

a milky ppt is formed

SULPHITE (SO32- )may

white ppt soluble in dil HCl

sol turns green

(f) Colourless gas with the smell of

The acid radical may be CH3COOThe acid radical may be CH3COO-

2 Ferric chloride test: [W.E.]Salt

Add dil HCl to red colour

Appearance of blood red colour.

red colour disappears

3. Ester test: Salt + conc H2SO4+

fruity smell of ester

Colorless gas followed by brown gas

Nitrite (NO2-) may b e

Gas + starch iodide paper on TT

it turns starch iodide paper

Nitrite (NO2-) may b e

WE + dil H2SO4 (or dil acetic acid);

deep blue colouration

MUKESH SHARMA , DPS JODHPUR

Nitrite (NO2-) confirmed

SECOND GROUP OF ACID

extract + AgNO3 solution +

yellowish green colour is obtained.

(iii) Chromyl Chloride test:.Salt + few

(i)Salt + MnO2 and conc. H2SO4

Brown gas and the solution is not blue.

A pale yellow ppt.

An red brown layer is

MUKESH SHARMA , DPS JODHPUR

The acid radical may be Brradical may be Br

Silver nitrate solution

soda extract + AgNO3

Yellow, curdy ppt. of silver iodide

mixture of copper (I) iodide

The Acid radical may be NO3-

Light brown gas

the solution turns blue in the test

Sulphate (SO42-), Phosphate (PO43-)

O.S.+ BaCl2 water