IDENTIFICATION OF IONS AND GASES

1. Identification of Cations
Two reagents commonly used to identify cations (metallic ions and ammonium ion) in aqueous
solutions are:
(i) Aqueous sodium hydroxide / dilute sodium hydroxide / sodium hydroxide solution,
NaOH (aq), and
(ii) Aqueous ammonia / dilute ammonia / ammonia solution, NH3(aq)

Procedure
Aqueous NaOH is added to the aqueous solution of the cation in a test tube.
It is added in small amounts (in drops) at first. Here, most metal cations form precipitate in the
form of insoluble hydroxides. The colour of the precipitate is noted.
Then NaOH solution is added in excess, and the reaction is observed again to note the solubility
of the precipitate and if there is any further changes in colour.
The whole test procedure is then repeated using aqueous ammonia.

How is a metal cation identified?

Metal cations are identified by:

(i) The colour of the precipitate

(ii) The solubility of the precipitate when excess reagent is added.

What deduction can be made from the formation of precipitate?

If a precipitate is formed on addition of either NaOH or aqueous ammonia then the hydroxide
of the metal being investigated is insoluble in water.

The type of reaction occurring here is called precipitation.

For example, the ionic reaction occurring when NaOH (aq) or NH3 (aq) is added to an aqueous
solution of iron (II) salt is:

Fe2+(aq) + 2OH- (aq) --------> Fe(OH)2(s), a green precipitate

Most transition metals produce precipitates with distinctive colours.

Summary of tests using aqueous solutions of sodium hydroxide and ammonia

Cation Addition of NaOH solution Addition of NH3 solution

Aluminium, Al3+ White precipitate, White precipitate,

soluble in excess, giving a insoluble in excess

colourless solution
Ammonium, Ammonia gas produced on __
NH4+ warming
Calcium, Ca2+ White precipitate, No precipitate or very slight white
precipitate
insoluble in excess
Copper, Cu2+ Light-blue precipitate, Light-blue precipitate,

insoluble in excess soluble in excess, giving a dark-blue

solution
Chromium, Cr3+ Grey-green precipitate Grey-green precipitate

Soluble in excess giving a dark- Insoluble in excess

green solution
Iron (II), Fe2+ Green precipitate, Green precipitate,

insoluble in excess insoluble in excess

Iron (III), Fe3+ Red-brown precipitate, Red-brown precipitate,

insoluble in excess insoluble in excess

Zinc, Zn2+ White precipitate, White precipitate,

soluble in excess, giving a soluble in excess, giving a

colourless solution colourless solution

2. Flame Tests For Metal Cations

Method

Platinum or nickel-chromium wire loop is used for this test. It may be cleaned by
dipping in concentrated hydrochloric or nitric acid, followed by rinsing with
distilled or deionized water. The cleanliness of the loop is tested by inserting it
into a gas flame. If a burst of color is produced, the loop is not sufficiently clean.
The cleaning process is repeated until no colour is produced when the loop is
placed in the flame.

Also, the loop must be cleaned between tests.

The clean loop is dipped in either a powder or solution of an ionic (metal) salt.
The loop with sample is placed in the clear or blue part of the flame and the
resulting color is observed

Flame colours and the metal ion they represent

Flame colour Metal ion present

Red Lithium, Li+

Orange Sodium, Na+

Lilac Potassium, K+

Brick red / orange-red Calcium, Ca2+

Green / Blue-green Copper, Cu2+