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Revision Notes For Qualitative Analysis

The document provides detailed procedures for qualitative analysis of anions and cations, including tests for halides, carbonates, sulphites, hypochlorites, and various metal ions using methods like flame tests and reactions with sodium hydroxide and ammonia. It also outlines the solubility rules for common salts and metal hydroxides in water. Sample observations and inferences for each test are included for reference.

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13 views5 pages

Revision Notes For Qualitative Analysis

The document provides detailed procedures for qualitative analysis of anions and cations, including tests for halides, carbonates, sulphites, hypochlorites, and various metal ions using methods like flame tests and reactions with sodium hydroxide and ammonia. It also outlines the solubility rules for common salts and metal hydroxides in water. Sample observations and inferences for each test are included for reference.

Uploaded by

annaksw2012
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Revision Notes for Qualitative Analysis

To prepare a solution for tests, dissolve a small amount of solid sample completely in distilled water. (Or use only the portion of solution with no
undissolved solid.)

(A) Test for Anions

1. Test for halide ions


Add dropwise dilute nitric acid in excess to 1 cm3 of the test solution, then add silver nitrate solution, observe any changes. A white precipitate (insoluble
in acid) indicates the presence of chloride ions. A pale yellow / creamy precipitate (insoluble in acid) indicates the presence of bromide ions. A yellow
precipitate (insoluble in acid) indicates the presence of iodide ions.

2. Test for carbonate ions


Add 3 cm3 of dilute hydrochloric acid to 1 spatula measure of the test solid (a solution is not preferred in this test). Then test the gas evolved by bubbling
the gas through limewater. Limewater turns milky indicating the presence of carbonate ions. (N.B. Sulphite ions give the same positive results as sulphur
dioxide gas can also react with limewater to give insoluble white CaSO3(s), however , warming is usually needed for the production of SO2(g). Solubility
of CO2(g) is ~1.25 g per kg of water while that of SO2(g) is ~ 75 g per kg of water at 30oC.)

3. Test for sulphite ions


Add 1 cm3 of acidified potassium dichromate solution to 2 cm3 of the test solution / a few crystals of the test solid. The colour change from orange to
green indicates the presence of sulphite ions. (N.B. Carbonate ion is NOT a reducing agent.)

4. Test for hypochlorite ions


Add 1 cm3 of dilute hydrochloric acid to 2 cm3 of the test solution / a few crystals of the test solid. Then test the gas evolved with a piece of moist
blue litmus paper. The colour change of the litmus paper from blue to red and then white indicates the presence of hypochlorite ions.
(B) Test for Cations

1. Flame Test

If testing a solid (a solution is not preferred in this test) , moisten a clean nichrome wire with concentrated hydrochloric acid (contained in a watch glass)
and bring into contact with the solid so that some of the latter adheres to the wire. Hold the wire in the edge of a non-luminous Bunsen flame. (Before use,
burn off the paraffin oil on the surface of nichrome wire first, otherwise a pale yellow flame would be seen when you carry out the flame test.)

Metal ion Flame colour

Na+ Persistent golden yellow

K+ Lilac

Ca2+ Brick-red

Cu2+ Bluish green

2. Action of sodium hydroxide solution


Add the sodium hydroxide solution dropwise to 1 cm3 of the test solution, observe any changes, then add sodium hydroxide solution in excess.

3. Action of ammonia solution


Add the ammonia solution dropwise to 1 cm3 of the test solution, observe any changes, then add ammonia solution in excess.
The action of aqueous ammonia and sodium hydroxide on solutions of metals ions are compared in the following table:

Observation when a few drops of Observation when excess NH3(aq) Observation when excess NaOH(aq)
Metal ion
NH3(aq) or NaOH are added is added is added

White precipitate of Ca(OH)2(s) forms


Ca2+(aq) when NaOH(aq) is added.* No precipitate is formed. Precipitate remains undissolved.
2+
Ca (aq) + 2OH−(aq) → Ca(OH)2(s)

White gelatinous precipitate of


2+
Mg (aq) Mg(OH)2(s) forms. Precipitate remains undissolved. Precipitate remains undissolved.
Mg2+(aq) + 2OH−(aq) → Mg(OH)2(s)

White gelatinous precipitate of Precipitate redissolves forming


3+
Al (aq) Al(OH)3(s) forms. Precipitate remains undissolved. a colourless clear solution.
Al3+(aq) + 3OH−(aq) → Al(OH)3(s) Al(OH)3(s) + OH–(aq) → [Al(OH)4]–(aq)

Precipitate redissolves forming


White gelatinous precipitate of Precipitate redissolves forming
2+
a colourless clear solution
Zn (aq) Zn(OH)2(s) forms. a colourless clear solution.
Zn(OH)2(s) + 4NH3(aq)
Zn2+(aq) + 2OH−(aq) → Zn(OH)2(s) Zn(OH)2(s) + 2OH–(aq) → [Zn(OH)4]2–(aq)
→ [Zn(NH3)4](OH)2(aq)

Dirty green gelatinous precipitate of


Fe2+(aq) Fe(OH)2(s) forms. Precipitate remains undissolved. Precipitate remains undissolved.
2+
Fe (aq) + 2OH−(aq) → Fe(OH)2(s)
Reddish brown gelatinous precipitate of
Fe3+(aq) Fe(OH)3(s) forms. Precipitate remains undissolved. Precipitate remains undissolved.
Fe (aq) + 3OH−(aq) → Fe(OH)3(s)
3+

White powdery precipitate of Precipitate redissolves forming


2+
Pb (aq) Pb(OH)2(s) forms. Precipitate remains undissolved. a colourless clear solution.
2+
Pb (aq) + 2OH−(aq) → Pb(OH)2(s) Pb(OH)2(s) + 2OH–(aq) → [Pb(OH)4]2–(aq)

Precipitate redissolves forming


Pale blue gelatinous precipitate of
a deep blue solution.
Cu2+(aq) Cu(OH)2(s) forms. Precipitate remains undissolved.
Cu(OH)2(s) + 4NH3(aq)
Cu2+(aq) + 2OH−(aq) → Cu(OH)2(s)
→ [Cu(NH3)4](OH)2(aq)

Dark brown precipitate of Precipitate redissolves forming


Ag2O(s) forms. a colourless clear solution.
Ag+(aq) Precipitate remains undissolved.
2Ag+(aq) + 2OH−(aq) Ag2O(s) + 4NH3(aq) + H2O(l)
→ Ag2O(s) + H2O(l) → 2[Ag(NH3)2](OH)(aq)

[Al(OH)4]– = aluminate ion [Zn(NH3)4] 2+ = tetraamminezinc(II) ion


[Zn(OH)4]2– = zincate ion [Cu(NH3)4]2+ = tetraamminecopper(II) ion
[Pb(OH)4]2– = plumbate ion [Ag(NH3)2]+ = diamminesilver(I) ion

*Formation of white precipitate depends on the concentration of NaOH(aq) used.


(C) Solubilities of common salts (and metal hydroxides) in water

Soluble Insoluble

1. All common potassium, sodium and ammonium salts

2. All nitrates

3. All hydrogencarbonates

4. All chlorides, bromides and iodides except  AgCl, AgBr, AgI, PbCl2, PbBr2, PbI2

5. All suphates except  BaSO4, PbSO4 (CaSO4 is only sparingly soluble)

6. Potassium carbonate, sodium carbonate and ammonium carbonate All other common carbonates

7. Potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide and barium hydroxide All other common metal hydroxides
(calcium hydroxide is slightly soluble)

Sample answers are shown below for your reference:

Test Observations Inferences (推論)

Action of aqueous ammonia solution White precipitate is formed. It remains undissolved in excess The cation may be Mg2+, Al3+ or Pb2+.
NH3(aq).

Action of acidified silver nitrate solution No precipitate is formed. / No observable change / The solution The anion CANNOT be Cl−, Br− or I−.
remains clear colourless.

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