SCHEME OF SALT ANALYSIS
EXPERIMENT
PRELIMINARY TESTS:
1. Colour
2. Odour
3. Solubility in water
4. Flame test – make a paste
of the given salt with few
drops of conc. HCl on a
watch glass. Show the
paste to the non-luminous
flame with the help of
glass rod
5. Dry heating test – a pinch
of salt is heated in a dry
test tube
ANALYSIS OF ANIONS:
1. To a little of the salt taken
in test tube, add few drops
of dil. H2SO4
2. To a little of salt taken in a
watch glass, add a 2-3
drops of conc. H2SO4.
Stir with glass rod and
smell is noted
3. To a little of the salt taken
in test tube, add 1ml of
conc. H2SO4
OBSERVATION
(1) White
(2) Bluish green
(3) Light pink or flesh colour
(1) Vinegar like smell
(2) Ammoniacal smell
Soluble in water
(1) Brick red flame
(2) Grassy green flame
(3) Bluish green flame
(4) Crimson red flame
(1) Greenish yellow gas with
pungent smell
(2) Colourless gas with the
smell of vinegar evolved.
White salt turns black on
heating
(3) Colourless gas with
ammoniacal smell
(4) Reddish brown gas
(5) Turns yellow when hot
and white when cold
Brisk effervescence
CO32- + H2SO4
Smell of vinegar
CH3COO- + H2SO4
(1) Colourless gas with
pungent smell evolved,
which gives dense white
fumes when a glass rod
dipped in NH4OH is
INFERENCE
Absence of salt of Cu, Mn
Presence of Cu salt
Presence of Mn salt
Presence of acetate ion
Presence of ammonium ion
Absence of carbonate salt,
except that of lead
Presence of calcium salt
Presence of barium salt
Presence of copper salt
Presence of strontium salt
Presence of chloride
Presence of acetate
Presence of ammonium salt
Presence of nitrate
Presence of zinc salt
Presence of Carbonate
CO32-
CO2 + SO42- + H2O
Presence of acetate
-
CH3COO
HSO4- + CH3COOH
Presence of Chloride, Cl-

4. To a little of the salt taken
in test tube, 1ml of conc.
H2SO4 is added and
heated. A paper ball is
added to this and heated
again
5. To the salt solution,
Barium Chloride solution
is added
6. To a little of the salt, 1ml
of conc. HNO3 is added
and boiled. Then excess
of Ammonium molybdate
solution is added
CONFIRMATORY TEST FOR ANIONS
1) FOR CARBONATE
1. To a little of the salt
solution, 1ml of dil. HCl is
added
2. To a little of the salt
solution, 1ml of Barium
Chloride solution is added
2) FOR ACETATE
1. To a little of the salt
solution, add neutral Ferric
Chloride Solution
shown to the mouth of the
test tube
Cl- + H SO 2
HCl + NH4OH
(2) Reddish brown vapours
with pungent smell, which
turns starch paper yellow
Br- + H SO 2 4 HSO4- + HBr
2HBr + H2SO4
(3) Deep violet vapours with
pungent smell, which
turns starch paper blue
I- + H SO
2 4
2HI + H2SO4
Reddish brown gas evolved
NO - + H SO
3 2
4HNO3 + C 4NO2 + CO2 + 2H2O
(paper ball)
White precipitate, which is
insoluble in dil.HCl is formed
SO42- + BaCl2
Deep Yellow precipitate formed
PO43- + 12MoO42-+ 24H+
Brisk effervescence with
evolution of colourless,
odourless gas which turns lime
water milky
CO32- + HCl
CO2 + Ca(OH)2
White Precipitate formed
CO32- + BaCl2
Reddish Brown Colour
4 HSO4- + HCl
NH4Cl + H2O
Presence of Bromide, Br-
SO2 + Br2 + 2H2O
Presence of Iodide, I-
HSO4- + HI
SO2 + I2 + 2H2O
Presence of Nitrate, NO3-
4 HSO4- + HNO 3
Presence of Sulphate, SO42-
BaSO4 + CI-
Presence of Phosphate,
PO43-
(PMo12O40)3-+ 12 H2O
(Canary Yellow ppt)
Presence of Carbonate
confirmed.
CO2 + H2O
CaCO3 + H2O
Presence of Carbonate
confirmed.
BaCO3 + Cl-
Presence of Acetate
confirmed.
 CH3COO- + FeCl3 Fe(CH3COO)3 + Cl-
2. Ester Test: To a little of Pleasant fruity smell Presence of Acetate
the salt solution, add few confirmed.
H+
drops of conc.H2SO4 and CH3COO- + C2H5O- CH3COOC2H5 + H2O
heat. Then add 1ml of
Ethyl alcohol. Shake the
contents and pour into
beaker full of cold water.

3) FOR CHLORIDE

1. To a little of the salt Curdy white precipitate Presence of Chloride

solution, add dil Nitric Acid
and add silver nitrate
solution
2. To a little of the salt, add a
pinch of manganese
dioxide and conc.
Sulphuric acid and heated
confirmed.
Cl-+ AgNO3
AgCl + NO3-
Greenish yellow gas with a Presence of Chloride
pungent smell evolved confirmed.
Cl-+ H2SO4 + MnO2 HSO4- + MnSO4 + H2O + Cl2

4) FOR BROMIDE

1. To a little of the salt Light Yellow precipitate Presence of Bromide

solution, add dil Nitric Acid confirmed.
and add silver nitrate Br-+ AgNO3
solution AgBr + NO3-
2. To a little of the salt, add a Yellowish brown vapours of Presence of Bromide
pinch of manganese Bromine evolved confirmed.
dioxide and conc. Br-+ H2SO4 + MnO2 HSO4- + MnSO4 + H2O + Br2
Sulphuric acid and heated

5) FOR IODIDE

1. To a little of the salt Yellow precipitate Presence of Iodide confirmed.

solution, add dil Nitric Acid
and add silver nitrate I-+ AgNO3 AgI + NO3-
solution
2. To a little of the salt, add a Violet vapours of Iodine evolved Presence of Chloride
pinch of manganese confirmed.
dioxide and conc. I-+ H2SO4 + MnO2 HSO4- + MnSO4 + H2O + I 2
Sulphuric acid and heated

6) FOR NITRATE

1. Brown ring Test: To the A brown ring of Nitrosoferrous Presence of Nitrate

salt solution add 1ml of sulphate formed at the junction confirmed.
freshly prepared ferrous of two liquids
sulphate solution. To this 2NO3- + H2SO4 SO42- + 2HNO3
mixture, add conc.
Sulphuric Acid drop wise 6FeSO4 + 3H2SO4 + 2HNO3 3Fe2(SO4) 3 + 4H2O + 2NO
along the sides of the test FeSO4 + NO FeSO4.NO
tube without shaking (Brown ring)
2. Copper Test: A little of the Dark brown fumes of Nitrogen Presence of Nitrate
salt is heated with conc. dioxide evolved confirmed.
2NO3- + H2SO4 SO42- + 2HNO3
 Sulphuric acid and a few 4HNO3 + Cu
Cu(NO3) 2 + 2NO2 + 2H2O
copper chips.

7) FOR SULPHATE

1. To a little of the salt White precipitate formed Presence of Sulphate

solution add 1ml of lead confirmed.
acetate solution. SO42- + Pb(CH3COO)2 PbSO4 + 2CH3COO-

2. To a little of the salt White precipitate formed which Presence of Sulphate

solution, add dil. HCl wait is insoluble in nitric acid confirmed.
until the effervescence SO42- + BaCl2 BaSO4 + 2Cl-
ceases. Then add 1ml of
barium chloride solution.

8) FOR PHOSPHATE

1. To the salt solution add Violet coloured precipitate Presence of phosphate

Cobalt nitrate solution which is soluble in acetic acid is confirmed.
formed
2PO43- + 3Co(NO3)2 Co3(PO4)2 + 2NO3-
2. To a little of the salt White precipitate formed Presence of phosphate
solution add hydrochloric confirmed.
acid and boil off Na2HPO4 + MgCl2 + NH4OH Mg(NH4)PO4 +2NaCl+H2O
carbondioxide. Add
Magnesia mixture (it is
prepared by adding
ammonium chloride to
magnesium chloride
solution. Boil,cool and add
ammonium hydroxide till a
strong smell of ammonia
is obtained) and allow to
stand.

ANALYSIS OF CATIONS:

1. Test for Group Zero Ammoniacal smell is evolved on Presence of Ammonium Ion
Cations (NH4)+ adding NaOH Solution.
To a little of salt add NH4+ + NaOH Na+ + NH3 + H2O
NaOH and warm gently.

2. Test for Group I Cations White precipitate of Lead Presence of Lead Ion
(Pb2+) chloride formed
To a little of salt solution Pb2+ + 2HCl PbCl2 + 2H+
add dil HCl (Group I
reagent)
 3. Test for Group II Cations
(Cu2+)
To a little of salt solution
add dil HCl and pass H2S
gas (Group II reagent)
4. Test for Group III
Cations (Al3+)
To a little of salt solution
add a little solid
Ammonium chloride and
add excess of Ammonium
hydroxide solution (Group
III reagent)
5. Test for Group IV
Cations (Zn2+,Mn2+)
To a little of salt solution
add a little solid
Ammonium chloride and
add excess of Ammonium
hydroxide solution, and
pass H2S gas (Group IV
reagent)
6. Test for Group V Cations White precipitate formed
(Ba2+ ,Sr2+,Ca2+)
To a little of salt solution
add a little solid
Ammonium chloride and
add excess of Ammonium
hydroxide solution, and
add Ammonium carbonate
solution (Group V reagent)
7. Test for Group VI
Cations (Mg2+)
To a little of salt solution
add a little solid
Ammonium chloride and
add excess of Ammonium
hydroxide solution, and
Disodium hydrogen
phosphate solution.
Scratch inside of the test
tube with a glass rod
CONFIRMATORY TEST FOR CATIONS
1) FOR AMMONIUM ION (NH4)+
1. To the above reaction
mixture, show a glass rod
dipped in conc. HCl to the
mouth of the test tube.
Black precipitate of Cupric Presence of Cupric Ion
sulphide formed
Cu2+ + H2S CuS + 2H+
(Black ppt)
White gelatinous precipitate of Presence of Aluminium Ion
Aluminium hydroxide formed
Al3+ + 3NH4OH Al(OH)3 + 3NH4+
(Gelatinous white ppt)
Dirty white precipitate of Zinc Presence of Zinc Ion
sulphide formed
Zn2+ + H2S ZnS + 2H+
(Dirty white ppt)
Flesh colour precipitate of
Manganese sulphide formed Presence of Manganese Ion
Mn2+ + H2S MnS + 2H+
(Flesh coloured ppt)
Presence of Barium Ion,
Strontium ion or Calcium ion
Ba2+ + (NH4)2CO3 BaCO3 + 2NH4+
(White ppt)
Sr2+ + (NH4)2CO3 SrCO3 + 2NH4+
(White ppt)
Ca2+ + (NH4)2CO3 CaCO3 + 2NH4+
(White ppt)
White precipitate of Magnesium Presence of Magnesium Ion
ammonium phosphate formed
Mg2++ HPO42- + NH4+ Mg(NH4)PO4 + H+
(Crystalline white ppt)
Dense white fumes of Presence of Ammonium Ion
Ammonium chloride formed at Confirmed.
the mouth of the test tube on
showing glass rod.
NH4+ + NaOH Na++ NH3 + H2O
NH3 + HCl NH4Cl
 2. To a little of the salt
solution, add Nessler’s
reagent
2) FOR LEAD ION (Pb2+)
1. To a little of the salt
solution, Potassium iodide
solution is added
2. To a little of the salt
solution, add Potassium
chromate solution
r
3) FOR CUPRIC ION (Cu2+)
1. To a little of salt solution
add Ammonium hydroxide
solution drop wise to
excess.
2. To a little of the salt
solution, add Potassium
ferro cyanide solution.
3. Flame test: Make a paste
of the salt with conc. HCl
and introduce the paste to
the non luminous flame.
4) FOR ALUMINIUM ION (Al3+)
1. To the above white
gelatinous precipitate add
NaOH solution drop wise
to excess
2. Ash test: To the salt
solution add 2 – 3 drops of
conc. Nitric acid and
Cobalt nitrate solution. Dip
a filter paper in the mixture
and burn it
Reddish brown Precipitate
formed
2K2HgI4 + NH3 + H2O
Golden yellow precipitate of
Lead iodide formed
Pb2+ + 2KI
Yellow Precipitate of Lead
chromate formed
Pb2+ + K2CrO4
Deep Blue solution on adding
excess of Ammonium hydroxide
formed.
Cu2+(aq) + 2NH4OH
Cu(OH)2 + 4NH4OH
(excess)
Chocolate brown precipitate
formed
2Cu2+(aq) + 2K4Fe(CN)6
Bluish green colour imparted to
the flame
White gelatinous precipitate
dissolves in excess of Sodium
hydroxide solution
Al(OH)3 + NaOH
(White gelatinuous ppt)
Blue coloured ash is formed.
Presence of Ammonium Ion
confirmed.
HgO.Hg (NH2)I + 2KI
(Brown ppt)
erer
Presence of Lead ion
confirmed.
PbI2 + 2K+
(Yellow ppt)
Presence of Lead Ion
confirmed.
PbCrO4 + 2K+
(Bright Yellow ppt)
Presence of Cupric Ion
(Cu2+) confirmed.
Cu(OH)2+2NH4+
(Bluish white ppt)
[Cu(NH3)4]2++4H2O+2OH-
(Deep blue complex)
Presence of Cupric Ion
(Cu2+) confirmed.
Cu[Fe(CN)6]+4K+
Presence of Cupric Ion
(Cu2+) confirmed.
Presence of Aluminium Ion
confirmed.
NaAlO2 + 2H2O
(Sodium meta aluminate)
Presence of Aluminium Ion
confirmed.
 5) FOR ZINC ION (Zn2+)

1. To a little of the salt White precipitate dissolves in Presence of Zinc ions

solution, add NaOH excess of NaOH. confirmed.
solution drop wise to Zn2+ + 2NaOH Zn(OH)2 + 2Na+
excess. (White ppt)
Zn(OH)2 + 2NaOH Na2ZnO2 + 2H2O
(excess) (Soluble Sodium Zincate)
2. Ash test: To a little of the Green coloured ash formed Presence of Zinc ions
salt solution, add 2-3 confirmed.
drops of conc.HNO3 and
Cobalt nitrate solution. Dip
a filter paper in this
mixture and burn it.

6) FOR MANGANESE ION (Mn2+)

1. To a little of the salt A white precipitate is formed, Presence of Manganese

solution, add excess of which on standing turns to ions confirmed.
NaOH solution, and keep brown colour gradually.
the mixture for 2-3 Mn2+ + 2NaOH Mn(OH)2 + 2Na+
minutes. (White ppt)
2Mn(OH)2 + 2 [O] 2MnO(OH)2
(Oxidation) (Brown ppt)
2. Heat a little of the salt with Supernatant solution turns pink Presence of Manganese
conc.HNO3 and add a on keeping for a while. ions confirmed.
pinch of Lead dioxide.
Dilute the mixture with 2Mn2+ + 4H++ 5PbO2 2MnO4- + 5Pb2++ 2H2O
water and allow it to Permanganate ions
remain for a while. (Pink)

7) FOR BARIUM ION (Ba2+)

1. To a little of the salt Yellow precipitate of Barium Presence of Barium ions

solution, add 2-3 drops of
conc. Acetic acid and add
potassium chromate
solution
2. Flame test: Make a paste
of the salt with 2 drops of
conc. HCl on a watch
glass using a glass rod
and show the mixture to
the non-luminous flame
8) FOR STRONTIUM ION (Sr2+)
1. To a little of the salt
solution, add 2-3 drops of
conc. Acetic acid and add
Ammonium sulphate
solution
2. Flame test: Make a paste
of the salt with 2 drops of
Chromate formed confirmed.
Ba2+ + 2CH3COOH (CH3COO)2 Ba +CO2 +H2O
(CH3COO)2 Ba +K2CrO4 Ba CrO4 + 2CH3COOK
(Yellow ppt)
Grassy green colour imparted to Presence of Barium ions
the flame confirmed.
White precipitate of Strontium Presence of Strontium ions
sulphate formed confirmed.
Sr2+ + 2CH3COOH (CH3COO)2 Sr +CO2 +H2O
(CH3COO)2 Sr +(NH4)SO4 SrSO4 + 2CH3COO NH4
(White ppt)
Crimson red colour imparted to Presence of Strontium ions
the flame confirmed.
 conc. HCl on a watch
glass using a glass rod
and show the mixture to
the non-luminous flame

9) FOR CALCIUM ION (Ca2+)

1. To a little of the salt White precipitate of Calcium Presence of Calcium ions

solution, add 2-3 drops of oxalate formed confirmed.
conc. Acetic acid and add Ca2+ + 2CH3COOH (CH3COO)2 Ca +CO2 +H2O
Ammonium oxalate
solution (CH3COO)2 Ca +(NH4)C2O4 CaC2O4 + 2CH3COO NH4
(White ppt)
2. Flame test: Make a paste Brick red colour imparted to the Presence of Calcium ions
of the salt with 2 drops of flame confirmed.
conc. HCl on a watch
glass using a glass rod
and show the mixture to
the non-luminous flame

10) FOR MAGNESIUM ION (Mg2+)

1. To a little of the salt Blue precipitate is formed Presence of Magnesium

solution, add Magneson ions confirmed.
reagent and add excess of
NaOH solution
2. Ash test: To a little of the Pink coloured ash obtained Presence of Magnesium
salt solution, add 2-3 ions confirmed.
drops of conc. Nitric acid
and add Cobalt nitrate
solution. Dip a filter paper
in this mixture and burn it

IMPORTANT REAGENTS
Nessler’s reagent – Potassium tetra iodo mercurate II [ K2HgI4 ]
Magneson reagent – Azo violet
Baeyer’s reagent – Alkaline Potassium permanganate
Tollen’s reagent – Ammoniacal Silver nitrate
Aqua regia – 3:1 mixture of conc.HCl + conc.HNO3
GROUP REAGENT FOR CATIONS
Group I – dil.HCl
Group II – H2S in presence of dil.HCl
Group III – NH4OH in presence of NH4Cl
Group IV - H2S in presence of NH4OH and NH4Cl
Group V – (NH4)2CO3 in presence of NH4OH and NH4Cl