Confirmatory Tests for Cations & Anions

prepared by alex teoh / Update: 29 Dec 2004-2205 h / 1st pub: 7 Sep 2001 @ CHIJ-St Josephs Convent

Test for CATions

* All cations must be present in aqueous states before tests can be conducted..

CATion
ammonium
zinc

calcium

aluminium

lead(II)

copper (II)

iron (II)
iron(III)

Reaction with aqueous

Sodium Hydroxide
NO ppt. Ammonia gas produced
on warming.
White ppt. [y] Soluble in excess aq.
NaOH to form a colorless solution. [z]
Zn2+ + 2OH- Zn(OH)2 (white ppt)
Zn(OH)2 + 2OH- [Zn(OH)4]2- (aq)
White ppt. [u]
Ca2+ + 2OH- Ca(OH)2 (white ppt)
Insoluble in excess aq. NaOH. [w]
White ppt. [p] Soluble in excess
aq. NaOH to form a colorless solution. [q]
Al3+ + 3OH- Al(OH)3 (white ppt)
Al(OH)3 + OH- [Al(OH)4]- (aq)
White ppt. Soluble in excess
aq. NaOH to form a colorless solution.
Pb2+ + 2OH- Pb(OH)2 (white ppt)
Pb(OH)2 + 2OH- [Pb(OH)4]2- (aq)

Blue ppt. [g]

Insoluble in excess aq. NaOH.
Cu2+ + 2OH- Cu(OH)2 (blue ppt)
Dark green ppt. [h]
Insoluble in excess aq. NaOH.
Fe2+ + 2OH- Fe(OH)2 (dark green ppt)
Reddish-Brown ppt. [k]
Insoluble in excess aq. NaOH.
Fe3+ + 3OH- Fe(OH)3 (red brown ppt)

Reaction with
aqueous Ammonia
NO ppt.
White ppt. Soluble in excess aqueous
ammonia to form a colorless solution.
Zn2+ + 2OH- Zn(OH)2 (white ppt)
Zn(OH)2 + 4NH3(aq) [Zn(NH3)4]2+ (aq)
NO ppt. [x] or a very
slight white ppt.
White ppt. [s] Insoluble
in excess aqueous ammonia. [t]
Al3+ + 3OH- Al(OH)3 (white ppt)
White ppt. Insoluble
in excess aqueous ammonia.
Pb2+ + 2OH- Pb(OH)2 (white ppt)
Blue ppt.[i]
Soluble in excess aqueous ammonia to
form a dark blue solution. [m]
Cu2+ + 2OH- Cu(OH)2 (blue ppt)
Cu(OH)2 + 4NH3(aq) [Cu(NH3)4]2+(aq)
Dark green ppt. Insoluble in
excess aqueous ammonia.
Reddish-Brown ppt. Insoluble
in excess aqueous ammonia.

NOTE: The observations for both lead(II) and aluminium ions are similar. To distinguish them, add
aqueous potassium iodide KI to both solutions. Only lead(II) ions will give a yellow ppt.

Test for ANions

Chloride, iodide, nitrate and sulfate ions must be present in aqueous states before tests
can be conducted.

Anion
carbonate

chloride
(in aqueous solution )

iodide
(in aqueous solution )

nitrate
(in aqueous solution )

sulphate
(in aqueous solution )

Test

Observation ( if test is positive )

Add dilute hydrochloric or

nitric acid.

Effervescence; bubbles of carbon dioxide

produced. A white ppt is formed when carbon
dioxide is bubbled through limewater.
Ca(OH)2 + CO2 CaCO3 (white ppt) + H2O
A white ppt.(pic a) is formed. White ppt
remains on the addition of dilute nitric acid.

Add aqueous silver

nitrate. Then acidify with
dilute nitric acid.
Add aqueous lead(II)
nitrate. Then acidify with
dilute nitric acid.
Add aqueous sodium
hydroxide and then
aluminium foil.
Warm gently.
Add aqueous barium
nitrate (or aqueous
barium chloride). Then,
acidify with dilute nitric or
dilute hydrochloric acid
respectively.

Ag+ + Cl- AgCl (white ppt)

Yellow ppt. (pic b) is produced. Yellow ppt
remains on the addition of dilute nitric acid.

Pb2+ + 2I- PbI2 (white ppt) yellow ppt

Moist red litmus paper turns blue
(Ammonia gas produced)

3NO3- + 8Al + 5OH- + 18H2O

3NH3 + 8Al(OH)4A white ppt. (pic c) is formed. White ppt
remains on the addition of dilute hydrochloric
acid (or dilute nitric acid )

Ba2+ + SO42- BaSO4 (white ppt)

Last Update: alexteoh - 2008June22 / Sunday / 1800h-1930h