Identification of ions

BY MR GONZAGA RAYMOND .L
 Learning objectives.
• By the end of the unit you should be able to
Describe tests for the cations (aluminum, calcium, copper(ii), chromium,
iron(ii), iron(iii) and zinc using aqueous sodium hydroxide or aqueous
ammonia.
•  Be able to describe a test for NH + ions
• Be able to describe flame tests for lithium, sodium, potassium and
copper(II) ions.
 Continuation.
• Be able to describe tests for the anions carbonate, chloride, bromide,
iodide, nitrate, sulfite and sulfate
•  Be able to describe tests for the gases ammonia, carbon dioxide, chlorine,
hydrogen oxygen and sulfur dioxide
 INTRODUCTION.
• What's a precipitate?
• This is an insoluble solid that emerges from a liquid solution.
• Precipitates can form when two soluble salts react in solution to form one
or more insoluble products.
Tests using sodium hydroxide or ammonium.

Many metal cations can be If the sodium hydroxide is not in

identified by observing the color
of the precipitate formed by the
addition of dilute aqueous sodium
hydroxide to an aqueous solution
of the substance under test.
excess, precipitate of a metal
hydroxide is usually formed.
• In excess sodium hydroxide, some
of the precipitates may dissolve,
e.g. precipitates arising from
solutions containing Zn2+, Al3+ and
Cr3+ ions.
 Continuation.
• Aqueous ammonia contains hydroxide ions.
• On addition of aqueous ammonia most of observations are similar to those
observed with aqueous sodium hydroxide. There are some exceptions. For
example, precipitates arising from solutions containing Zn2+ and Cu2+
ions dissolve in excess aqueous ammonia.
CONTINUATION.
• If a precipitate is formed on addition of aqueous sodium hydroxide or
ammonia, the hydroxide is insoluble in water. For example:
•   ZnCI2 (aq) + 2NaOH(aq) → Zn(OH)2(s) + H2O(l)
• Ca2+ ions can be distinguished from Zn2+ and Al3+ ions because the
precipitate of calcium hydroxide does not dissolve in excess sodium
hydroxide but zinc hydroxide and aluminium hydroxide do dissolve
• Zn2+ ions can be distinguished from Al3+ions by the use of aqueous
ammonia Zinc hydroxide dissolves in excess aqueous ammonia to form a
colourless solution but aluminium hydroxide does not dissolve.
• The hydroxides of most transition metal ions can be identified by their
characteristic colours.
 TIP

 When conducting the test for Fe(ii) ions, you must

observe the colour of the precipitate straight away If you
leave the iron (ii) hydroxide precipitate in the air for too
long it will oxidise to iron(iii)
 Test for ammonium.
An aqueous solution containing ammonium ions is warmed.
OBSERVATION
Ammonium gas is produced when warmed.
Ammonium gas turns damp red litmus paper blue.
 Flame test for metal cations.
A small sample of the compound The colour given to the flame by
under test is placed on the tip of a the compound is observed.
wire made from an unreactive The test can be used to identify
metal such as nichrome or the ions of elements in Group I,
platinum. and some Group II and transition
The compound under test is metal ions.
placed at the edge of a blue
Bunsen flame.
Progress test.