QUALITATIVE

ANALYSIS
Tests for Cations, Anions, gases and the Flame tests
Syllabus Objectives
 6.1. identify cations: K+, Na+,Ca2+, Ba2+, Cu2+ by
their flame tests;

 6.2. identify cations

Mg2+(aq),Al3+(aq), Ca2+(aq), Cr3+ (aq),Mn2+(aq), Fe2+
(aq), Fe3+ (aq),Cu2+ (aq), Zn2+(aq), Ba2+ (aq),Pb2+
(aq), NH4+ (aq);
Syllabus Objectives
 6.3 explain the principles upon which the reactions in
Specific Objective 6.2 are based;
 6.4. write ionic equations for the reactions in specific
Objective 6.2;
 6.5 identify anions:
CO32-, NO3-, SO42-, SO32-, Cl-, Br-, l-,
CrO4-; and,
 6.6 write ionic equations for the reactions in
Specific Objective 6.5.
QA-Definition
 The process of determining the identity of an
unknown substance, based on a series of chemical
tests.

 Salts consist of cations (+ ions) and anions (-

ions).
Solubility of Salts
 The solubility of a salt can help us narrow down
the possible identity of the salt.
 Soluble :All nitrates, hydrogen
carbonates, & sodium, potassium &
ammonium salts. Most sulphates,
chlorides, bromides &
iodides. A few carbonates &
hydroxides.
Solubility of Salts
 Insoluble : Most carbonates &
hydroxides (except
Na+, K+ & NH4 + );
PbSO4 , BaSO4 ,
CaSO4 , AgCl , PbCl2 ,
AgBr, PbBr2, AgI, PbI2.
Colour can Help!
 The colour of a salt also can help narrow down the
possible identity of the salt.
 E.g. :
 Blue : Cu 2 + / Co2+ salts
 Green : Cr 3+/Cu2+ / Ni2+ salts
 Pale Green : Fe2+ salts
 Reddish brown : Fe3+ salts / Cu metal
Testing for Cations - Theory
 The insoluble nature of their hydroxides is
exploited by applying the common ion effect:

M n+ (aq) + n OH – (aq) ↔ M(OH)n (s)

 Adding extra OH- causes the equilibrium to shift to

the right hence precipitating the solid hydroxide.
Testing for Cations 2
 Hydroxide ions are added using sodium hydroxide
(strong alkali) and aqueous ammonia [NH4OH]
(weak alkali).
 The precipitates have different colours and/or
solubility in excess alkali and can therefore be
identified
 What cation precipitates and colours do you
remember?
 See Handout
Cations 1
CATION With NaOH (aq) With NH3 (aq)/NH4OH
Zn 2+ White ppt. White ppt.
Soluble in XS Soluble in XS
Mg 2+ White ppt. White ppt.
Insoluble in XS Insoluble in XS
Mn 2+ Off-White ppt. Off-White
Insoluble in XS Insoluble in XS
Al 3+ White ppt. White ppt.
Soluble in XS Insoluble in XS
Pb 2+ White ppt. White ppt.
Soluble in XS Insoluble in XS
Yellow ppt. With KI or
K2CrO4
Ca 2+ White ppt. No ppt.
Cations 2
CATION With NaOH (aq) With NH3 (aq)

Cr 3+ Grey-Green ppt. Soluble in Grey-Green ppt. Insoluble

XS to give green solution in XS
Fe 2+ Green ppt. Insoluble in XS Green ppt. Insoluble in XS
Fe 3+ Red-Brown ppt. Insoluble Red-Brown ppt. Insoluble
in XS in XS
Cu 2+ Pale blue ppt. Insoluble in Blue ppt. Dissolves in XS
XS to form a deep blue
solution
Co 2+ Blue Insoluble ppt. Colour Green ppt. Forms light
changes to pink on brown solution with XS.
standing Darkens on standing
Ba 2+, No ppt. No ppt.
What other cations would Why?
behave similar to Ba 2+ ?
Testing for Ammonium ions
 Add NaOH and heat, test gas produced with red
litmus paper
NH4+(aq) + OH – (aq) ↔ NH3 (g) + H2O (l)

 Adding OH- shifts the equilibrium to the right

producing ammonia gas.
Flame Tests
Teacher Demonstration
 What cation is present in the test solution?
Today’s Experiment
 Indentifying the cations and anions in two different
solutions
 Divide into Groups of Four