Basic theory

Qualitative analysis has the main objective to determine the composition of a sample.
One of the components that usually analyze or tested is cation. How to analyse a mixture is
by using a selective reagent which means that added reagents would react only with certain
cations only and will not react with other cations so that the cations which react with a
reagent which specific can be separated from other ions. The reactions that occur when
identifying causes the formation of new substances that differ from the original substances
and different physical properties. (Harjadi, 1993)
Proving the existence of these include: the formation of precipitate, discoloration, gas
formation, and the typical crystalline form. Therefore, it needed to know the knowledge about
the properties of substance of soluble / insoluble a substance in water, in acid or alkaline, the
colours are formed in a reaction. (Sastrawidana, dkk, 2001).
Dissolution of a salt in the liquid can be caused by the following case. When the liquid
substance is water then the salt is broken down by water to produce the ions. For example the
solution of NaCl in water:
NaCl(s) Na+(aq) + Cl-(aq)
If the water has dissolved the other ions, then the resulting solution is the result of
reaction with the salt ions pre-existing in liquids. For example, dissolution of CaCO3 in
dilutes HCl.
HCl(aq) + H2O(l) H3O+(aq) + Cl-(aq)
CaCO3(s) + H3O+(aq) Ca2+(aq) + HCO3 -(aq)
CaCO3 dissolution caused by the ion H3O + in water to produce ions Ca2 + and HCO3 -.
Similarly, for an oxide. Dissolution in the liquid caused by a reaction with a liquid substance
or with the ions already present in the liquid. For example, CaO soluble in water.
CaO + H2O(l) Ca2+(aq) + 2OH-(aq)
A type of chemical reactions that may be experienced by the cation is not a redox reaction
and redox. For example the reaction between Cu2 + ions and I-for redox reactions and ion
Zn2 + and OH-ions are not redox.
2Cu2+(aq) + 4I-(aq) Cu2I2(s) + I2(aq)
4Zn2+(aq) + 2OH-(aq) Zn(OH)2(s)
Zn2+(aq) + 4OH-(aq) {Zn(OH)4}2- (aq)
Zn2+(aq) + OH-(aq) {Zn(OH)}+ (aq)
(Selamat,2004)

For the purpose of systematic qualitative analysis, cations are classified into five groups
based on the class nature of some reagents. Reagents used for the classification of the most
common cations are hydrochloric acid, ammonium sulfide and ammonium carbonate. This
classification is based on whether a cation reacts with these reagents to form a precipitate or
not. Fifth cations of this group are:
1.

Group I: This group formed precipitate with dilute hydrochloric acid. This

2.

group is lead ion, mercury (I) and silver.

Group II: do not react with hydrochloric acid, forming a precipitate with
sulphide acid in dilute mineral acid. Ion of this group is mercury (II), copper,

3.

bismuth, cadmium, arsenic (III), stibium (III), stibium (V), tin (II) and tin (III).
Group III: this cation does not react with dilute hydrochloric acid or with
acidic sulfide in dilute mineral acid. However, these cations form a precipitate
with ammonium sulfide in neutral condition or ammoniacal. This class is
cations of cobalt (II), nickel (II), iron (II), iron (III), chromium (III),

4.

aluminum, zinc and manganese (II).

Group IV: This group of cations does not react with reagents Class I, II and
III. These cations with ammonium carbonate to form precipitate with the
existence of ammonium chloride in slightly acid or neutral condition. Cations

5.

of this type are calcium, strontium and barium.

5. Group V: common cations, do not react with the reagents before, is the last
class of cations is magnesium, sodium, potassium, ammonium, lithium and
hydrogen.
(Vogel, 1985)