GROUP V

ALKALINE EARTH GROUP

Group V (Alkaline Earth Group)
Members:
Barium (Ba2+)
Strontium (Sr2+)
Calcium (Ca2+)
Group Reagent:
NH4Cl, NH4OH and saturated (NH4)2CO3.
Precipitated as Carbonates:
BaCO3 (White ppt).
SrCO3 (White ppt).
CaCO3 (White ppt).
Procedure for precipitation, separation and confirmation of group V
cations:
[I] Precipitation:
• The centrifugate obtained from group IV is boiled to expel all H2S.
• Add 10% NH4Cl.
• Add excess concentrated NH4OH.
• Add excess saturated (NH4)2CO3.
• Heat to 60o and centrifuge.
• The centrifugate is saved for the analysis of group VI.
• The precipitate is used for analysis of group V cations.
The precipitate of group V consists of BaCO3; SrCO3; and CaCO3 (all
white).
The precipitate of group V is boiled with acetic acid till dissolves.
 [II] Separation and confirmation:
Separation of Barium from Strontium and Calcium:
The separation depends on the fact that Barium is precipitated
as a yellow precipitate with K2CrO4 while strontium and
calcium remain soluble:

Ba2+ + CrO42- → BaCrO4↓ (yellow ppt)

Therefore:
• To the precipitate which was dissolved in acetic acid, add
K2CrO4.
• Centrifuge.
• The centrifugate containing the soluble strontium, calcium
and excess chromate is used for separation and confirmation
of strontium and calcium.
• The yellow precipitate is used for confirmation of barium.
Confirmation of Barium:
The yellow precipitate of barium chromate is dissolved in
concentrated HCl, divide into two portions:
Add ammonium sulphate; white precipitate is formed:

Ba2+ + SO42- → BaSO4↓ (white ppt)

Flame test:
Apply to the flame on a platinum wire → Apple green
color.
Separation of Strontium from Calcium:
In order to get rid of excess chromate:
• Add to the centrifugate containing soluble strontium, calcium
and excess chromate NH4Cl, NH4OH, and (NH4)2CO3,
centrifuge.
• Discard the centrifugate.
• The residue containing SrCO3 and CaCO3 is boiled with acetic
acid till dissolves.
• Add (NH4)2SO4 where SrSO4 is precipitated as a white
precipitate.
• Centrifuge.
• The precipitate is used for confirmation of strontium.
• The centrifugate is used for confirmation of calcium.
Confirmation of Strontium:
The white precipitate of strontium sulphate
proves the presence of strontium.

Sr2+ + SO42- → SrSO4↓ (white ppt)

Flame test:
The white precipitate is dissolved in
concentrated HCl; apply to the flame on a
platinum wire → crimson red color.
Confirmation of Calcium:
To the centrifugate containing calcium, add ammonia
and ammonium oxalate; white precipitate of calcium
oxalate is obtained:

Ca2+ + C2O42- (oxalate) → CaC2O4↓ (white ppt)

Flame test:
The white precipitate is dissolved in concentrated HCl;
apply to the flame on a platinum wire → brick red
color.
Important Notes:
Why should the medium be alkaline using NH4OH?
Alkaline medium is important because if the medium is acidic,
incomplete precipitation of group V will occur.

Why is NH4Cl added to NH4OH and (NH4)2CO3?

To suppress the ionization of both NH4OH and (NH4)2CO3 by the common
ion effect which will otherwise precipitate Magnesium.

Strong heating should be avoided after addition of (NH4)2CO3….why?

To prevent the decomposition of ammonium carbonate.