SALT ANALYSIS-VI : AMMONIUM CARBONATE

EXPT. NO:_________

DATE : ______________

Aim:
To identify the anion and cation present in the given simple salt by performing
suitable tests.

I Preliminary tests for anions and cations:

S.No Experiment observation Inference

1 Colour: White. May be Pb2+, Ca2+,
Al3+, Zn2+, Ba2+,Sr2+,
Mg2+, NH4+

2 Smell: Ammoniacal smell. May be presence of

Take a pinch of salt between the NH4+ or CH3COO-
fingers and rub it with a drop of water.

3 Dry heating test: Ammoniacal smell. May be presence of

Heat a pinch of salt in a dry test tube NH4+
and observe the change.

4 Flame test: No characteristic Absence of

To a pinch of salt in a watch glass add colour flame. Ca2+,Ba2+,Sr2+
few drops of conc. Hydrochloric acid and Cu2+.
and make a paste. Introduce this paste
into the flame.

5 Caustic soda test: A colourless gas Presence of NH4+

Take a pinch of salt in a dry test tube, with ammoniacal
add sodium hydroxide solution and smell is evolved
heat gently. Dip a glass rod in conc. which forms dense
Hydrochloric acid and introduce it into white fumes with
the test tube. conc. Hydrochloric
acid.

II Identification of anion (Acid radical):

1 Dilute Hydrochloric acid test: Brisk effervescence Presence of CO32-

To the given salt add dilute due to the evolution
Hydrochloric acid. of a colourless gas
which turns lime
water milky.
2 Dilute Sulphuric acid test: Brisk effervescence Presence of CO32-
To the given salt add dilute Sulphuric due to the evolution
acid. of a colourless gas
 which turns lime
water milky.
3 Conc. Sulphuric acid test: No characteristic Cl- , or Br- may be
To the given salt add conc.Sulphuric observation . absent
acid. Heat if required.

4 Potassium permanganate test: Pink colour of Absence of Cl-, Br-

To the salt add few drops of Potassium or I-
dil.Sulphuric acid, warm and then add permanganate is not
few drops of Potassium permanganate decolourised
solution
5 Manganese dioxide test: No characteristic Absence of Cl-, Br-
To the salt add a pinch of Manganese coloured gas is or I-
dioxide, conc. Sulphuric acid and evolved
heat.

6 Copper turnings test: No Brown gas is Absence of NO3-

To the salt add few Copper turnings, evolved and the
conc. Sulphuric acid and heat. solution does not
turns blue or green in
colour.

7 Barium chloride test: White precipitate Presence of CO32- or

To the salt solution add Barium soluble in PO43-
chloride solution. dil.Hydrochloric
acid.

III Confirmatory tests for Carbonate ion

1 Barium chloride test: White precipitate Presence of CO32- is

To the salt solution add Barium soluble in dil. confirmed.
chloride solution. Hydrochloric acid.

IV. Cation analysis(Basic radical):Preparation of Salt solution: Dissolve the given salt in
distilled water and prepare the salt solution.

1 Group analysis: No white precipitate Absence of Pb2+

Group 1:
To the salt solution add dilute
Hydrochloric acid.

2 Group 2: No black precipitate Absence of Cu2+

To the salt solution add dilute
Hydrochloric acid and pass Hydrogen
sulphide gas.
3 Group 3: No gelatinous white Absence of Al3+
To the salt solution add Ammonium precipitate.
chloride solution and Ammonium
hydroxide solution

4 Group 4: No black precipitate Absence of Ni2+ or

To the salt solution add Ammonium Co2+
chloride solution, Ammonium
hydroxide solution and pass Hydrogen
sulphide gas
5 Group 5: No white precipitate Absence of Ba2+,
To the salt solution add Ammonium is formed. Sr2+ or Ca2+
chloride solution, Ammonium
hydroxide solution and Ammonium
carbonate solution.

6 Group 6: No white precipitate Absence of Mg2+

To the salt solution add Ammonium is formed.
chloride solution, Ammonium
hydroxide solution and Ammonium
phosphate solution.

Since all the above cations are

absent, the given cation must be
Ammonium.(Zero group)

V. Confirmatory tests for cation:Ammonium:

1 Nessler’s reagent test:

To the salt solution add few drops of Reddish brown Presence of NH4+ is
Nessler’s reagent followed by drops of precipitate is formed. confirmed.
Sodium hydroxide solution.

2 Sodium hydroxide test:

To the salt solution add few drops of Colourless, pungent Presence of NH4+ is
Sodium hydroxide solution and heat. smelling gas which confirmed.
gives dense white
fumes with a
glass rod dipped in
conc. Hydrochloric
acid is evolved.

Result:
(i) The anion present in the given salt is Carbonate
(ii) The cation present in the given salt is Ammonium
(iii) The given salt is Ammonium Carbonate.