PREPARED BY :

DR. AZHAR ASLAM KHAN

ACID RADICAL (ANIONS)
Dilute Sulphuric Acid Test
Take a small quantity of the salt in a test tube & add 1-2
ml of dilute sulphuric acid. Warm, if no gas is evolved in
cold salt.
S.No. Observation Inference
Gas Radical
1 Colourless, Odourless gas Co2 Carbonate
With brisk effervescence. (CO3 )
2-
2 Colourless pungent smell So2 Sulphite
(SO32-)
turns acidified Dichromate
paper green.
3 Reddish brown gas, pungent NO2 Nitrite
smell , turns Ferrous Sulphate (NO2 )
-
solution black.
4 Colourless gas , smell like that H2S Sulphide
of rotten eggs, turns lead (S2-)
acetate paper black.
5 No gas is evolved. All Absent
 Confirmatory Test
Experiment Observation Inference
Carbonate
Limewater Test-To a small Lime Water CO32-
quantity of salt add dilute turns milky.
H2SO4 & pass the gas (CaCO3) confirmed
through lime
water.[Ca(OH)2]
CO32-
MgSO4 Test: Dissolve a White ppt
small quantity of salt into
distil water, warm and
filter it. To the filtrate
add MgSO4 Solution.
Sulphite
SO32-
BaCl2 Test: To the salt White ppt
solution add BaCl2 Confirmed
solution.
Nitrite
NO2-
Starch-Iodide Test : To salt Blue Solution
solution add few drops of
dilute H2SO4 and KI
solution followed by
starch solution.
Sulphide
Lead Acetate Test : To salt Black ppt of S2-
solution add lead acetate PbS Present
solution.
Sodium Nitropruside Test: Purple or S2-
To solution add few drops violet colour Confirmed
of sodium Nitropruside ppt
solution

Concentrated Sulphuric Acid Test :

Take a small quantity of the salt and add concentrated
H2SO4 . In a test tube warm , if no gas evolved.
S.NO. Observation Inference
GAS RADICAL
1 Colourless gas with pungent HCL Chloride
smell, produce white fumes (Cl-)
with NH4OH Dipped rod.
2 Reddish brown vapour with Br2 Bromide
pungent smell , turns starch (Br-)
paper yellow.
3 Deep violet vapour with I2 Iodide
pungent smell , turns starch (I-)
paper blue.
4 Reddish brown gas with Cu NO2 Nitrate
Turnings with pungent smell, (NO3 )
-
turns FeSO4 solution black.
5 Colourless gas, vinegar CH3COOH Acetate
smell, turns blue litmus red. Vapour (CH3COO-)
6 No gas/vapour is evolved. All Absent
 Confirmatory Test
Experiment Observation Inference
CHLORIDE
AgNO3 Test: to salt White ppt Cl-
solution (aq.) add some formed, Present
dilute HNO3 & AgNO3 Soluble in NH4OH
solution. solution.

Chromyl Chloride Test: Yellow ppt of Cl-

Mix the given salt with PbCrO4. Confirmed
Dichromate, heat it with
concentrated sulphuric
acid in a test tube. Pass
the evolved gas through
NaOH .Acidify the
solution with acetic acid
and then add Lead
acetate solution.
BROMIDE
AgNO3 Test: to salt Yellow ppt Br-
solution add some dilute partially soluble Present
HNO3 & AgNO3 solution. in NH4OH
solution.

CCl4 Layer Test: To salt Orange or light Br-

solution add some CCl4 brown colour Confirmed
solution in a test tube layer formed.
then add few drops of (Br2.CCl4)
concentrated HNO3 &
chlorine water . Shake
vigorously & allow it to
stand.
IODIDE
AgNO3 Test: to salt Yellow ppt I-
solution add some dilute insoluble in Present
HNO3 & AgNO3 solution. NH4OH solution.

CCl4 Layer Test: To salt Violet colour I-

solution add some CCl4 layer Confirmed
solution in a test tube (I2.CCl4)
then add few drops of
concentrated HNO3 &
chlorine water . Shake
vigorously & allow it to
stand.
NITRATE
NO3-
Ring Test: Add freshly Brown Rings
prepared FeSO4 solution formed Present
in a test tube. Pour [FeSO4.NO]
concentrated sulphuric [Fe(H2O)5NO]SO4
acid gently along the side
of test tube .
ACETATE
FeCl3 Test: To salt solution Reddish colour CH3COO-
add neutral FeCl3 solution ppt of Present
Divide the solution in Fe(CH3COO)3
parts.
• To one part add dilute Colour Disappear
HCL CH3COO-
• To second part add Red brown ppt Confirmed
water & boil it.

MISCELLANEOUS RADICALS
Sulphate
SO42-
BaCl2 Test: To salt solution White ppt
(in dil. HCL) add BaCl2 (BaSO4) Present
solution.
[White ppt is highly
insoluble in conc. HCL &
HNO3]
SO42-
Lead acetate test: To salt White ppt
solution add acetic acid (PbSo4) Confirmed
then lead acetate solution .
PHOSPHATE
PO43-
Ammonium Molybdate Deep yellow
Test: To salt solution(in dil. ppt Present
HNO3) add ammonium
molybdate solution & heat
it .
 PO43-
Magnesia salt Test: To salt White ppt
solution add magnesia Confirmed
salt & allow it to stand .

BASIC RADICALS (CATIONS)

If salt is insoluble in water then prepare the
Na2CO3 extract.
Group Cations
NH4+
Zero
I Pb2+
II-A Hg2+,Pb2+,Cu2+,Cd2+
II-B As3+
III Fe2+,Fe3+,Al3+
IV Co,Ni,Mn,Zn
V Ba2+,Sr
2+
2+,Ca2+
Mg (NH4+)
VI
Salt and solvents used
S.no. Solvents Salts can be dissolved
• All NH4+ salts
1 Cold Water
• All Nitrates & acetate
• Most of sulphates except
Pb,Ba,Ca,Sr
• All chlorides accept that of
lead
2 Hot Water • Lead chloride, Lead Nitrate
3 Dilute HCL • All carbonates which donot
dissolve in water i.e.
Ca,Ba,Sr,Mg,Zn,Al,Cu,Ni,Mn,
Fe,etc.

Group Zero NH4+

S.NO. Experiment Observation Inference
1 Heat a small amount of Ammonia May be
NH4+
sat with NaOH. gas smell
NH4+
2 Bring a glass rod dipped White
in dilute HCL at the fumes of Present
mouth of test tube. NH4Cl
NH4+
3 Pass the gas through Brown ppt
Nesseler’s reagent or to Confirmed
water extract.

Group I lead(Pb2+)
S.No. Experiment Observation Inference
1 To salt solution add White ppt May be
dilute HCL. Boil white of PbCl2 Pb2+
ppt with ammonium
Acetate & divide the
solution into 2 parts.
2 Potassium iodide test: to Yellow ppt Pb2+
one part add KI solution. of PbI2 Present
3 Potassium Chromate Yellow ppt Pb2+
 Test: To the second part of PbCrO4 Present
add potassium chromate
solution.

Group 2[Pb2+,Cu2+,Cd2+ ,As3+]

To the warm water salt solution(in dil. HCL) pass H2S gas.
S.No. Experiment Observation Inference
1 BLACK PPT:
Dissolve black ppt in 50%
HNO3 ,warm it and divide
it into 2 parts:-
• Lead(Pb)
To one part perform
test of lead as given
in group 1.
• Copper(Cu)
To the second part
add NH4OH solution
till the blue colour
appear. Divide the
solution int 2 parts:
1.Potassium Chocolate Cu2+
Ferrocynide Test: Brown ppt Present
To one part add
acetic acid &
potassium
Ferrocynide
 solution.

2.Potassium Iodide White ppt Cu2+

Test: Absent
To another add
acetic acid &
potassium iodide
solution.
2 Yellow ppt:
Dissolve small quantity of
yellow ppt in yellow
ammonium sulphide.
If ppt is soluble:
Test for As3+
If not:
Test for Cd2+
CADMIUM:
Dissolve the yellow ppt in
dil. HCL, boil and divide it
into 2 parts:
➢ Potassium
Ferrocynide Test:
To one part add
PotassiumFerrocynide
solution.
➢ NaOH Test:
To second part add
 NaOH.
ARSENIC
Dissolve the yellow ppt in
conc. HNO3 and divide it
into 2 parts:-
➢ Ammonium Yellow ppt As3+
Molybdate Test: Present
To one part add
Ammonium
Molybdate solution
and heat it.
➢ Magnesia salt White ppt As3+
Test: confirmed
Make the second
part alkaline using
NH4OH solution and
Magnesia salt.

Group III [Fe2+,Fe3+,Al3+]

If the salt is coloured add few drops of HNO3.
To salt solution add solid NH4Cl in excess then add
NH4OH solution till it becomes alkaline.
Green ppt=may be Fe2+
Brown ppt=may be Fe3+
White gelatinous ppt=may be Al3+
S.no. Experiment Observation Inference
1 GREEN PPT–FERROUS
Dissolve the ppt in
dil. HCL
• Potassium
Ferricinide Test: Blue Colour Fe2+ Present
To one part add ppt
potassium
Ferricyanide
solution.
• Potassium No Fe2+
Thyocynide Test: Bloodcolour Confirmed
To other part add
potassium
thyocynide
solution.
2 Brown PPT[FERRIC]
Dissolve the ppt in
dil. HCL and divide it
into 2 parts:
• Potassium Deep blue Fe3+ Present
Ferricinide Test: colour ppt
To one part add
potassium
Ferricyanide
solution.
 • Potassium Blood red Fe3+
Thyocynide Test: colour ppt Confirmed
To other part add
potassium
thyocynide
solution.
3 White
PPT[Aluminium]
Dissolve the ppt in
dil. HCL.
• Lake Test: Blue Lake Al3+
To the solution Formed Confirmed
add few drops of
blue litmus
solution to this
add NH4OH
dropwise till blue
colour develops.
• NaOH Test: White ppt Al3+
TO solution add of AL(OH)3 Confirmed
few drops of
NaOH .
➢ [ON ADDING PPT Al3+
EXCESS OF NaOH] BECOMES Confirmed
SOLUBLE
Group IV[CO2+,Ni2+,Mn2+,Zn2+]
To salt solution add NH4Cl in excess then:-
Black PPT =CO2+,Ni2+
Add NH4OH solution until it smells like NH3 then pass H2S
gas.
Buff Coloured PPT =Mn2
Dirty White PPT = Zn2+
S.NO. Experiment Observation Inference
1 Black PPT
[CO2+, Ni2+]
Dissolve the black
ppt in minium
aquaregia.
Evaporate solution
in china dish to
almost dry.
Blue residue-Cobalt
Dissolve the blue
residue in a little
quantity of water
and divide it into 2
parts:
➢ Potassium Yellow PPT CO2+
Nitrate Test: Present
To one part add
NH4OH solution
till it becomesa
alkaline. Acidify
 with acetic acid.
then few crystals
of Potassium
Nitrate & warm
it.

➢ Ammonium Blue colour CO2+

Thiocynate ether in Ethreal Confirmed
Test:To the other Layer
part add ether
solution then
add crystal of
Ammonium
Thiocynate .Then
shake it well.

Yellow residue-
Nickel
Dissolve yellow
residue in a little
distill water & divide
it into 2 parts:
➢ DMG Test: Red PPT Ni2+
To one part add Present
Ammonium
Hydroxide then
add DMG
 (Dimethyl
Glyoxime).
➢ NaOH-Br2 Test: Black PPT Ni2+
To other part Confirmed
add NaOH
solution and
then add Br2
water and boil it.

2 Buff Coloured PPT-

Mangenese
Dissolve the ppt in
dil. HCL and boil it.
Divide it into 2 parts:
➢ NaOH-Br2 Test: Black/Brown Mn2+
To the other PPT Present
part add NaOH
solution and
then add Br2
water and boil it.
➢ Sodium Pink or Mn2+
Bismuthate Test: Purple Confirmed
To other part Colouration
add dil.HNO3.
Then add solid
Sodium
Bismuthate.
 3 Dirty White PPT-Zinc
Dissolve the ppt in
dil. HCl & boil
it.Divide it into 2
parts:
➢ NaOH Test: White PPT of Zn2+
To one part add Zn(OH)2 Present
NaOH Solution
dropwise.
[Add excess of [PPT
NaOH solution to Disappears]
the white ppt]
➢ Potassium Bluish White Zn2+
Ferrocynide Test: PPT Confirmed
To one part add
Potassium
Ferrocynide.

Group V[Ba2+,Sr2+,Ca2+]
To salt solution add NH4Cl in excess. Then add NH4OH
solution until it smells liuke NH3. Then add Ammonium
carbonate solution.
S.NO. Experiment Observation Inference
1 White PPT-Barium
Dissolve the white
ppt in acetic acid and
 divide it into 2 parts:
➢ Potassium Yellow PPT Ba2+
Dichromate Test: of BaCr2O7 Present
To one part add
few drops of
Potassium
Dichromate
solution.
➢ H2So4 Test: White PPT Ba2+
To another part of BaSO4 Confirmed
add few drops of
dil.H2So4.
➢ Flame Test: Green Ba2+
Perform flame Flame Confirmed
test with the
original salt
only.
2 White PPT-Strontium
Dissolve the white
ppt in acetic acid.
➢ Ammonium White ppt Sr2+
Sulphate Test: Of SrSo4 Present
To the solution
add few drops of
Ammonium
Sulphate solution
and warm it.
 ➢ Flame Test: Crimson red Sr2+
Perform flame flame Confirmed
test with the
original ppt or
salt.
3 White PPT-Calcium
Dissolve the white
ppt in acetic acid.
➢ Ammonium White ppt Ca2+
Oxalate Test: of Calcium Present
To the solution Oxalate
add ammonium
oxalate solution
and a small
amount of NH4OH
solution.
➢ Flame Test: Brick Red Ca2+
Perform flame Flame Confirmed
test with the
original ppt or
salt.

Group VI[Mg2+]
To salt solution add NH4Cl in excess then add Ammonium
Dihydrogen Phosphate {or any other phosphate of
sodium}
White PPT=Mg2+
S.NO Experiment Observation Inference
1 White PPT-
Magnesium
➢ Ammonium White PPT of Mg2+
Phosphate Test: Mg3(PO4)2 Present
To salt solution
add NH4Cl in
excess. Then add
NH4OH solution
until it smells
like NH3.Then
add Ammonium
Dihydrogen
Phosphate .
➢ Megneson Test: Blue Colour Mg2+
To the salt PPT Confirmed
solution add
few drops of dil.
HCL and then
few drops
megneson
reagent.