QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS

INDEX
S.N. TOPICS PAGE NO.
1 Dry test 2
2 Reactions of cations 4
3 Reactions of anions 10
4 Distinguish between anions 15
5 Special tests for mixture of anions 16
[Link]

1
 TESTS FOR BASIC RADICALS
A. DRY TESTS
1. Flame Test
METAL IONS OBSERVATION
Na+ GOLDEN YELLOW
K+ LILAC
Li+ CARMINE RED
Ca2+/Cd2+ BRICK RED
Sr2+ CRIMSON RED
Ba2+/Mo2+ APPLE GREEN
Cu /Tl+/BO33-/Mn2+
2+
GREEN
2+ 3+ 3+ 3+
Pb /As /Sb /Bi BLUE
2. Cobalt Nitrate Test
METAL IONS COLOUR OF RESIDUE
Mg2+ PINK
[Link]

3+
Al THENARD BLUE
Sn2+ BLUISH GREEN
2+
Zn RINMANN GREEN
Co(NO3)2→ CoO
MCO3→ MO + CoO →[Link] (coloured residue)
3. Sodium Carbonate Test
METAL IONS COLOUR OF RESIDUE
Mn2+ GREEN
3+
Cr YELLOW
MO + Na2CO3 + O2→Na2MO4 (coloured residue) + CO2
4. Borax Bead Test and Microcosmic Bead Test
TEST METAL OXIDIZING FLAME REDUCING FLAME
ION
HOT COLD HOT COLD
BBT Cr3+ YELLOW GREEN GREEN GREEN
MBT GREEN GREEN GREEN GREEN
BBT Co2+ BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE
MBT BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE
BBT Cu2+ GREEN BLUE COLOURLESS RED/BROWN
MBT GREEN BLUE COLOURLESS RED/BROWN
BBT Fe2+ YELLOW/BROWN YELLOW GREEN GREEN
MBT YELLOW/BROWN YELLOW YELLOW COLOURLESS
2+
BBT Mn VIOLET RED COLOURLESS COLOURLESS
MBT VIOLET VIOLET COLOURLESS COLOURLESS
BBT Ni2+ VIOLET BROWN GREY GREY
MBT BROWN BROWN GREY GREY

Borax Bead Test

Na2B4O7→ NaBO2 + B2O3 (glassy mass)MO + B2 O3→M(BO3)2 (coloured metaborates)
Microcosmic Bead Test
NaNH4HPO4→ NaPO3 + NH3 + H2O MO + NaPO3→MNaPO4 (coloured residue)
2
 5. CHARCOAL CAVITY TEST
METAL ION COLOUR OBSERVATION
BEAD FORMATION
Ag+ WHITE Lustrous, malleable, does not mark
paper
2+
Sn WHITE Does not mark paper
Pb2+ GREY Soft, leaves mark on paper
Cu2+ RED Flakes observed
INCRUSTATION
Sb3+ WHITE Brittle metal
Bi3+ YELLOW Brittle metal
ZnO/SnO WHITE(cold) YELLOW(hot) Crystalline oxide
2+
Cd CHOCOLATE BROWN Crystalline oxide
As3+ WHITE Volatile, garlic odour
[Link]

Fe2+/Fe3+/Ni2+/ BLACK -
Mn2+
Mg2+/ Ca2+/ Sr2+/ WHITE -
Ba2+
M2++ Na2CO3→ MCO3→ MO + Red-hot Coke →M (residue)

B. WET TESTS
GROUP 0
Reagents K+ Na+ NH 4
Na3[Co(NO2)6] Yellow ppt K3[Co(NO2)6] - Yellow ppt similar to K+
HClO4 White ppt of KClO4 - White ppt of NH4ClO4
H2[PtCl6] Yellow ppt of K2[PtCl6] - Yellow ppt similar to K+
Tartaric acid White ppt of pot. Hydrogen - White ppt of amm. Hydrogen tartrate
tartrate

Specific test for Na+: It gives yellow ppt with Uranyl-Mg-acetate of NaMg(UO2)3(AcO)9.9H2O
Group Reagent: NaOH
Cations: NH4+
Observation: NH3 gas evolved
NH4++ NaOH → NH3 (ammonia gas)
Confirmatory Tests:
1. Dense white fumes with a glass rod dipped in conc. HCl solution.
NH3 + HCl → NH4Cl (dense white fumes)
2. Nessler’s Reagent Test: Nessler’s reagent is K2 HgI4 + KOH.
NH4+ + HgI42- + OH-→[Link](NH2)I(Millon’s Base [B])+ I-

3
 GROUP I
Group Reagent: dil. HCl
Cations: Pb2+, Hg22+, Ag+
Observation: White insoluble chlorides precipitated out
Confirmatory Tests
REAGENT Pb2+ Hg22+ Ag+
Dilute HCl White ppt. of PbCl2 which White ppt. of White ppt. of AgCl
is soluble in excess Hg2Cl2which gives grey soluble in excess HCl,
forming [PbCl4]2- ppt. of Hg(NH2)Cl + Hg ammonia, KCN and
with ammonia; Hg2Cl2 hypo and also
is soluble in aqua regia decomposes in the
presence of UV light
H2 S Black ppt. of PbS; In Black ppt. of HgS + Hg, Black ppt. of Ag2S that
excess Cl-, red ppt. of that dissolves in aqua is soluble in hot conc.
Pb2SCl2which on dilution regia and Na2S forming HNO3 but not in YAS,
[Link]

gives black PbS which [HgS2]2- which KCN and hypo.

turns white in H2O2, givesHgS again with H+.
dissolves in HNO3 and
AcONH4
NH4OH White ppt. of Pb(OH)2 Grey ppt. of Hg + Brown ppt. of Ag2O that
that is insoluble in excess [Link](NH3)NO3 is soluble in excess
giving Ag(NH3)2+
NaOH White ppt. of Pb(OH)2that Black ppt. of Hg2Othat Brown ppt. of Ag2Othat
dissolves in excess giving turns to grey HgO + Hg is insoluble in excess.
Pb(OH4)2- which forms on boiling.
black PbO2 with OA.
KI Canary yellow PbI2 that Green ppt. of Hg2I2 that Yellow ppt. of AgI that
dissolves to give [PbI4]2- dissolves in KI and is insoluble in ammonia
turns to red HgI2 and but dissolves in KCN
grey Hg on boiling and hypo
K2CrO4 Yellow ppt. of PbCrO4 Red ppt. of Hg2CrO4 Red ppt. of Ag2CrO4
soluble in HNO3 and that turns to black Hg2O that dissolves in HNO3
NaOH with NaOH and ammonia
KCN White ppt. of Pb(CN)2 White ppt. of Hg(CN)2 White ppt. of AgCN
insoluble in excess KCN soluble in excess KCN soluble in excess KCN
Na2HPO4 Ppt. of white phosphate White Ppt. of hydrogen Ppt. of white phosphate
phosphate
Na2CO3 White ppt. of BASIC lead Yellow ppt. of Hg2CO3 Yellow ppt. of Ag2CO3
carbonate. that turns to black HgO that turns to brown
and grey Hg Ag2O then grey Ag
H2SO4 White ppt. of PbSO4 that White ppt. of HgSO4and White ppt. of Ag2SO4
is insoluble in excess but SO2 gas evolved and SO2 gas evolved
dissolves in AcONH4
SnCl2 - Grey ppt of Hg -
Na2SO3 White ppt of PbSO3 which -
is less soluble than PbSO4
KCN White of Pb(CN)2 which Grey ppt of Hg and White ppt which is
is insoluble in excess Hg(CN)2 soluble in excess of
KCN
4
 Na2S2O3 White ppt of PbS2O3 - White ppt of thio-
soluble in excess of sulphate which is
reagent. On boiling black soluble in excess of
ppt of PbS reagent. On heating
Ag2S is formed.
Note:
AgCl AgBr AgI Soluble Ag+
In NH3 Soluble Partially Soluble Insoluble Soluble
In KCN Soluble Soluble Soluble Soluble
In Hypo Soluble Soluble Soluble Soluble

GROUP II [A]
Group Reagent: dil. HCl + H2S gas
Cations: Hg2+, Pb2+, Cu2+, Bi3+, Cd2+, Fe2+
Observation: Sulphides precipitated out that are insoluble in YAS. [HgS, PbS, CuS, Bi2S3, FeS are black
[Link]

while CdS is yellow.]

REAGENT Hg2+ Cu2+ Bi3+ Cd2+ Fe2+
Ammonia Black ppt. of Blue ppt. of White ppt. of White ppt. of Green ppt. of
HgO.NH2.NO3 Cu(OH)2 that [Bi(OH)2]+that Cd(OH)2 that Fe(OH)2 is
dissolves in is insoluble in disappears on seen but
excess giving excess adding excess disappears on
[Cu(NH3)4]2+ ammonia ammonia adding excess
ammonia
NaOH Yellow ppt. of Blue ppt. of White ppt. of White ppt. of Green ppt. of
HgO that is Cu(OH)2 that Bi(OH)3 that Cd(OH)2 that Fe(OH)2
insoluble in is insoluble in turns to is insoluble in which on
excess but excess and yellow excess exposure to
dissolves in turns to black [Link] or air gets
3-
acids CuO on BiO3 . oxidized to
heating [Link] Fe(OH)3
convert to
yellowish
brown BiO3-
KCN No ppt. Yellow ppt. - White ppt. of Yellow ppt.
observed of Cu(CN)2 Cd(CN)2 of Fe(CN)2
which turns to which which
white CuCN dissolves in dissolves in
and dissolves excess giving excess giving
in excess unstable K4 Fe(CN)6
giving K2Cd(CN)4
K3Cu(CN)4
KI Red ppt. of White ppt. of Black ppt. of No ppt. -
HgI2 that Cu2I2 that BiI3 that observed
dissolves in dissolves in dissolves in
excess excess giving excess giving
forming K3[CuI4]; orange[BiI4]-
K2HgI4 solution and
becomes dark hydrolyses to
brown due to BiOI
5
 KI3
Co(SCN)2 or Deep blue ppt Black ppt. of - - No
NH4SCN of Cu(SCN)2. It colouration
Co[Hg(SCN)4] decomposes
slowly to
white ppt of
CuSCN

Special Tests for Group II [A] Cations

1. Ferrous [Fe2+] ion
a) With K4Fe(CN)6, bluish-white ppt. of K2Fe[Fe(CN)6].
b) With K3Fe(CN)6, Turnbull’s Blue Fe3[Fe(CN)6]2
c) With Hypo: No color with pure Fe2+.
2. Cadmium [Cd2+] ion
a) With K4Fe(CN)6, bluish-white ppt. of Cd2[Fe(CN)6]
[Link]

3. Bismuth [Bi3+] ion

a) With alkaline Na2SnO2, black Bi metal is obtained.
b) Excessive dilution of a Bi salt of a strong acid leads to ppt. of white oxy-salt of Bi.
c) Bright orange solution of (CrO4)-Bi-O-Bi-(CrO4)
4. Cupric [Cu2+] ion
a) Black ppt. of Cu(SCN)2 with KSCN
b) With K4Fe(CN)6 in acidic medium, chocolate brown ppt. of Cu2[Fe(CN)6]
5. Mercuric [Hg2+] ion
a) Black ppt. of HgS is soluble in aqua regia but not in conc. HNO3
b) With SnCl2, white ppt. of Hg2Cl2 that turns to greyHg in excess.
c) With Co(SCN)2, deep blue ppt. of Co[Hg(SCN)4].
DMG Test:
a) With Fe2+: Soluble red iron(II) dimethylglyoxime in ammoniacal solution.
b) With Fe3+: No colouration
c) With Bi3+: Yellow ppt in ammoniacal solution.
d) With Co2+: Brown colouration in ammoniacal solution.
e) With Ni2+: Red ppt in ammoniacal solution.
f) With Cu2+: Black or Blue in ammoniacal solution.
GROUP II [B]
Group Reagent: dil. HCl + H2S gas
Cations: As3+, Sn2+, Sb3+, Sn4+
Observation: Sulphides precipitated out that are soluble in YAS. [As2S3 is yellow and forms As2S5, Sb2S3 is
orange and forms Sb2S5, SnS is brown while SnS2 is yellow].
Reagents As 3 As AsO33 As 5  As AsO43
Dil HCl + As2S3 is yellow is insoluble in conc As2S5 is yellow soluble in Alkali, NH3,
H2 S HCl but soluble in conc HNO3, (NH4)2S & YAS and in sod or amm
Alkali, Ammonia, (NH4)2S & YAS Carbonate.

6
 AgNO3 Yellow ppt of arsenite which is Brownish-red ppt of arsenate which is
soluble in HNO3 and ammonia soluble in nitric acid and ammonia
Magnesia No ppt White ppt of MgNH4 AsO4
mixture
Iodine in KI Violet colour dissappereared
SnCl2 Black As
(NH4)2MoO4
Yellow ppt of (NH4)3[As (Mo3O10)4]
[Link]

+
KI in H med
Brown I2 in excess KI3

Reagents Sb3+ Sb5+

Dil HCl + H2S Sb2S3 is orange red soluble in Conc Sb2S5 is orange red soluble in conc HCl,
HCl, conc HNO3, Alkali, & YAS Alkali, (NH4)2S & YAS

H2 O White ppt of [Link] soluble inHCl White ppt of basic salt,

& Tartareic acid (difference from ultimatelyantimonic acid is formed
bismuth)
Zn/Sn/Fe Black ppt of Sb. Some stibine SbH3 Black ppt of Sb. Some stibine SbH3 may
may be evolved be evolved
KI Yellow complex [SbI6]3- is formed. Brown I2 & Sb3+ which dissolves in
excess of KI forming Yellow complex
[SbI6]3-
Rhodamine-B No clour Violet colour

Reagents Sn2+ Sn4+

Dil HCl + H2S SnS is brown soluble in conc HCl, SnS2 is yellow soluble in conc HCl,
and YAS Alkali, Ammonium sulphide and YAS

NaOH White ppt, soluble in excess of White ppt, soluble in excess of NaOH, but
NaOH, but not in NH3 not in NH3
7
 HgCl2 Grey colour Hg ppted -
Zn Spongy Sn is deposited
Fe Mixture of Fe2+ & Sn2+

GROUP III
Group Reagent: NH4OH + NH4Cl
Cations: Fe3+, Al3+, Cr3+
Observation: Hydroxides precipitated out
REAGENT Fe3+ Al3+ Cr3+
Ammonia Reddish-brown ppt. of White gelatinous ppt. of Green ppt. of Cr(OH)3
Fe(OH)3that is insoluble in Al(OH)3that is insoluble that is soluble in excess
excess but soluble in acids in excess but soluble in ammonia giving violet
acids [Cr(NH3)6]3+
NaOH Reddish-brown ppt. of White gelatinous ppt. of Green ppt. of Cr(OH)3
Fe(OH)3 that is insoluble in Al(OH)3that is soluble that is soluble in excess
[Link]

excess but soluble in acids in excess giving ammonia giving green

[Al(OH)4]- [Cr(OH)4]-
AcONa Reddish-brown solution of Boiling with excess Red ppt. of
[Fe3(OH)2(OAc)6]+ solution gives white ppt. Cr2(OAc)4(H2O)2
of Al(OH)2(AcO)

SPECIAL TESTS FOR GROUP III CATIONS

1. Ferric [Fe3+] ion
a) With KCN, reddish brown ppt. of Fe(CN)3that dissolves in excess to give K3[Fe(CN)6].
b) With K3[Fe(CN)6], brown ppt. of Fe[Fe(CN)6]that is reduced to Prussian BlueFe4[Fe(CN)6].
c) With K4[Fe(CN)6], Prussian blue Fe4[Fe(CN)6] that decomposes in conc. NaOH to give red Fe(OH)3.
d) With KSCN, blood red ppt. of Fe(SCN)3.
e) With Hypo, Fe3+ first gives violet complex [Fe(S2O3)2]-, on standing the color disappeared rapidly and
green color Fe2+ ions are formed.
2. Aluminium [Al3+] ion
a) With Alizarin, Red Lake obtained.
3. Chromium [Cr3+] ion and Chromate [CrO42-]
a) Green ppt. of Cr(OH)3obtained by treating salt with Na2CO3can be converted into yellow CrO42- using
alkaline Br2 water, aqueous Na2O2 soln., alkaline H2O2 soln. or K2S2O8.
b) Yellow residue of CrO42-obtained on fusion test as well as treating Pb(OAc)2 or BaCl2 acidified with
AcOH with CrO42-.
c) Reacting CrO42- with H2O2 in ethereal solution gives clear blue solution of CrO5 that decomposes to Cr3+
in aqueous solution.
GROUP IV
Group Reagent: NH4OH + H2S
Cations: Co2+, Ni2+, Mn2+, Zn2+
Observation: Sulphides precipitated out [ZnS is white and dissolves in HCl, MnS is dirty pink and
dissolves in HCl and AcOH, NiS and CoS are black and dissolve in conc. HNO3 and aqua regia]
REAGENT Mn2+ Zn2+
Ammonia White ppt. of Mn(OH)2that is soluble in White ppt. of Zn(OH)2that is soluble
excess due to reverse reaction in excess forming [Zn(NH3)4]2+
8
 NaOH White ppt. of Mn(OH)2that is insoluble in White ppt. of Zn(OH)2that is soluble
excess and is oxidized to MnO2.H2O in excess forming [Zn(OH)4]2-

Reagent Co2+ Ni2+

NaOH Pink color ppt of Co(OH)2 insoluble in Green ppt of Ni(OH)2 insoluble in
excess of NaOH but soluble in NH3 or excess of NaOH but soluble in NH3
amm. salts or amm. salts
NH3 Basic salt of Co(OH)NO3 dissolves in Green ppt of Ni(OH)2 soluble in
excess forming [Co(NH3)6]2+ excess of NH3 forming deep blue
[Ni(NH3)6]2+
KCN Brown ppt of Co(CN)2 soluble in excess Green ppt of Ni(CN)2 soluble in
forming brown solution of [Co(CN)6]2- excess of reagent forming yellow
on boiling with air or H2O2 it oxidises to solution of [Ni(CN)4]2-
yellow solution of [Co(CN)6]3- When it is heated with NaOBr
solution black color Ni(OH)3 is
formed
[Link]

KNO2 Yellow ppt of K3[Co(NO2)6] No ppt

NH4SCN Blue color solution of [Co(SCN)4]2- -
1-Nitroso-2- Reddish brown ppt Brown ppt
naphthol
SPECIAL TESTS FOR GROUP IV CATIONS
1. Manganese [Mn2+]
a) Mn2+ can be oxidized to MnO4- by using PbO2, Pb3O4 or KClO3 with conc. HNO3 giving a purple
coloration of HMnO4 ; S2O82- in dil. acid or NaBiO3 in dil. acid.
b) Green residue of Na2MnO4 obtained after fusion test.
2. Zinc [Zn2+]
a) With K4[Fe(CN)6], bluish-white ppt. of Zn2[Fe(CN)6] and K2Zn3[Fe(CN)6]2.
b) Cobalt nitrate test gives Rinmann Green CoZnO2.
3. Nickel [Ni2+]
a) Rosy red ppt. of Ni(dmgH)2with dimethyl glyoxime (dmg).
b) Violet ppt of [Ni(en)3] S2O3 is formed when [Ni(en)3](NO3)2 is treated with Hypo.
GROUP V
Group Reagent: NH4OH + (NH4)2CO3
Cations: Ca2+, Sr2+, Ba2+
Observation: White carbonates are precipitated out.
REAGENT Ca2+ Sr2+ Ba2+
Dilute H2SO4 White ppt. of CaSO4 White ppt. of SrSO4 White ppt. of BaSO4
that dissolves in hot that dissolves in boiling that is insoluble in dil.
conc. H2SO4 giving HCl and conc. acids
2-
[Ca(SO4)2]
(NH4)2C2O4 White ppt. of CaC2O4 White ppt. of SrC2O4 White ppt. of BaC2O4
that is insoluble in that is insoluble in that is insoluble in
water and AcOH but water and AcOH but water but soluble in
soluble in mineral acids soluble in mineral acids AcOH and mineral
acids
K2Cr2O4 No ppt. observed Yellow ppt. of SrCrO4 Yellow ppt. of BaCrO4
that dissolves in dilute that dissolves in mineral

9
 soln., AcOH and acids but not in AcOH
mineral acids

GROUP VI
Group Reagent: Na2HPO4+ NH4OH
Cations: Mg2+
Observation: White ppt. is obtained
Mg2+ + NH3 + HPO42-→ MgNH4PO4→ Mg2P2O7
In neutral solution, MgHPO4 would be formed.
NaOH Solution: White precipitate of Mg(OH)2, insoluble in excess NaOH, but readily soluble in NH4+
salts.
Mg2  2OH  Mg(OH)2 

(NH4)2CO3 Solution: In the absence of NH4+ salts, a white precipitate of basic magnesium carbonate is
[Link]

obtained.
5Mg2  6CO23  7H2O 
 4MgCO3  Mg(OH)2  5H2O  2HCO3

In the presence of NH4+ salts, no precipitation occurs, because the equilibrium is shifted to left
NH4  CO32 
 
 NH3  HCO3
2+
Titan Yellow Reagent: Deep red ppt. formed with Mg
TEST FOR ACIDIC RADICALS
1. Dilute Acid Radicals
Group Reagent: Dilute HCl or Dilute H2SO4
a) Carbonate [CO32-] ion
Salt + dil. HCl/dil. H2SO4→CO2 (colourless and odourless effervescence)
TESTS
1. The gas turns lime water and baryta water milky. Milkiness disappears on passing excess CO2 through
lime water.
2. Does not affect the pink colour of acidified KMnO4 or orange colour of acidified K2Cr2O7 solution
b) Acetate [AcO-] ion
Salt + dil. H2SO4→AcOH(vinegar-like odour)
TESTS
1. Vinegar-like odour with oxalic acid.
2. Reddish-brown colour due to [Fe3(OH)2(OAc)6]+ with FeCl3 solution that precipitates out on boiling.
c) Sulphite [SO32-] ion
Salt + dil. HCl →SO2 (suffocating, pungent smelling gas)
TESTS
1. Turns lime water milky which disappears on passing excess SO2.
2. Turns pink acidified KMnO4 colourless and orange K2Cr2O7 solution green.
d) Sulphide [S2-] ion
Salt + dil. HCl →H2S(Odour of rotten eggs)
TESTS
1. Turns Pb(OAc)2 paper silvery black due to PbS.
2. Yellow ppt. of sodium nitroprusside (Na2[Fe(CN)5NO]) turns to deep violet Na4[Fe(CN)5NOS].

10
 3. Turns pink acidified KMnO4 colourless and orange K2Cr2O7 solution green but yellow particles of S are
deposited.
e) Nitrite [NO2-] ion
Salt + dil. HCl →NO(Colourless and odourless gas)
In air, NO + O2→NO2 (Reddish brown gas with choking odour)
TESTS
1. Brown ring produced with freshly prepared dilute. FeSO4 soln. due to formation of [Fe(H2O)5NO]SO4.
2. Violet vapours of I2 with acidified KI solution.
3. Blood red ppt. of Fe(SCN)3 given with solution of thiourea and FeCl3.
f) Thiosulphate [S2O32-] ion
Salt + dil. HCl →SO2(suffocating, pungent smelling gas) + S (yellow deposit)
1. Acidified KI solution decolourised.
2. Colourless solution of Na3[Ag(S2O3)2] with AgNO3 that decomposes to give black ppt. of Ag2S.
2. Concentrated Acid Radicals
[Link]

Group Reagent: Concentrated H2SO4

a) Nitrate [NO3-] ion
Salt + conc. H2SO4 →NO2 (Reddish brown gas with choking odour)
TESTS
1. Reddish-brown vapours of NO2evolved on heating salt with copper turnings.
2. Brown ring produced with freshly prepared dilute. FeSO4 soln. due to formation of [Fe(H2O)5NO]SO4.
b) Oxalate [C2O42-] ion
Salt + conc. H2SO4 → CO (burns with blue flame) + CO2 (effervescence)
TESTS
1. White ppt. of CaC2O4 obtained with CaCl2 that is insoluble in AcOH.
2. Decolourises pink colour of acidified KMnO4.
c) Chloride [Cl-] ion
Salt + conc. H2SO4 → HCl [pungent smelling gas]
TESTS
1. HCl gas evolved gives dense white fumes with a glass rod dipped in ammonia solution.
2. Yellowish-green Cl2 gas with suffocating odour evolved with acidified MnO2.
3. White ppt. of AgCl when treated with AgNO3 solution that dissolves in excess ammonia solution.
4. Deep red vapours of CrO2Cl2(chromyl chloride) when boiled with K2Cr2O7 and conc. H2SO4 that turn
NaOH solution to yellow Na2CrO4. The vapours hydrolyze to orange H2CrO4.
d) Bromide [Br-] ion
Salt + conc. H2SO4 →Br2 [reddish brown vapours]
TESTS
1. Reddish-brown Br2 gas with choking odour evolved with acidified MnO2.
2. Starch paper turns orange in contact with vapours of Br2.
3. Pale yellow ppt. of AgBr when treated with AgNO3 solution that dissolves in excess ammonia solution.
4. Gives an orange yellow layer that is soluble in chloroform in the Layer Test. (Br- + CHCl3 + H2SO4 + Cl2
water)
d) Iodide [I-] ion
Salt + conc. H2SO4 →I2 [violet vapours]
TESTS
11
 1. Violet I2 gas with harsh odour evolved with acidified MnO2.
2. Starch paper turns blue-black in contact with vapours of I2.
3. Curdy yellow ppt. of AgI when treated with AgNO3 solution that is insoluble in excess ammonia solution.
4. Givesavioletlayer that is soluble in chloroform in the Layer Test. (I- + CHCl3 + H2SO4 + Cl2 water)
3. Specific Acid Radicals
a) Sulphate [SO42-] ion
SO42- + Ba(NO3)2→ BaSO4 (white ppt. insoluble in dil. and conc. acids)
b) Phosphate [PO43-] ion
PO43- + HNO3→ H3PO4 + (NH4)2MoO4→(NH4)3PO4.12MoO3 (canary yellow) (given by AsO43- also)
c) Fluoride [F-] ion
F-+ conc. H2SO4 + SiO2→ Gelatinous white ppt. of H2SiF6
MISCELLANEOUS
1. Pb3O4is known is red lead or ‘Sindhur’.
2. Dimethyl glyoxime gives red ppt. with Ni2+ as well as Fe2+.
[Link]

3. Chemical volcano is produced on heating (NH4)2Cr2O7.

4. HgCl2 gives reddish brown HgCO3.3HgO with carbonates.
5. PO43-, BO33- and F- are known as ‘interfering radicals’.
6. Hg2Cl2 is known as ‘calomel’ and HgCl2 is known as ‘corrosive sublimate’.
7. S2O32- gives violet ppt. with Ni(en)3(NO3)2.
8. CuCl forms soluble H3CuCl4 in excess conc. HCl.
9. Any acid base reaction favorable in the direction of formation of weak acid and weak base.
10. Sodium carbonate extract test for anion is conducted for water insoluble salts and coloured salts.
11. DMG is used to identify Fe2+ ion in the presence of Fe3+ ion.
12. Except AgNO3, AgF and AgClO4 all Ag+ salts are insoluble.
13. NH4SCN is used to identify Fe3+ in the presence of Fe2+.
14. NH4SCN gives no ppt with Cd2+ ion.
15. K3[Fe(CN)6] gives turnbull blue with Fe2+ ion KFe[Fe(CN)6].
16. K3[Fe(CN)6] gives brown ppt with Fe3+ ion Fe[Fe(CN)6].
17. K4[Fe(CN)6] gives white ppt with Fe2+ ion K2Fe[Fe(CN)6].
18. K4[Fe(CN)6] gives prussian blue with Fe3+ ion Fe4[Fe(CN)6]3.
19. DMG gives red coloration with Fe2 ion Fe(dmg)2.
20. DMG gives no coloration with Fe3+ ion.
21. NH4OH gives white coloration with Fe2 ion which turns to brown.
22. NH4OH gives brown ppt with Fe3+ ion.
23. Mn2+ is oxidized to permanganate ion (Mn7+) by PbO2/Pb3O4 + conc. HNO3,NaBiO3 + dil HNO3, KIO4.
24. In the brown ring test for nitrate ion with sodium carbonate extract, initially extract to be neutralized
with dil sulphuric acid.
25. Fe2+ to Fe3+ possible by acidic H2O2 and Fe3+ to Fe2+ possible by basic H2O2.
26. Carbonates of Bi & Ba are not easily decomposed by dil. H2SO4 , So, dil. HCl should be used.
27. SO2 evolved from sulphites, also turns lime water milky. In the test of carbonates, the evolved gas must
be colourless and odouress. (SO2 is pungent gas).

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 28. PbCO3 reacts with HCl or H2SO4 to give, in the initial stage some effervescence but the reaction slows
down due to formation of a protective insoluble layer of PbCl2 or PbSO4 on the surface of remaining
salt or mixture.
29. PbS, CdS, NiS, CoS, Sb2S3 and SnS2 are not decomposed with dil. H2SO4 . Conc. HCl should be
used for their test. In such cases, however, brisk evolution of H2S takes place even by use of dil. H2SO4
if a pinch of zinc dust is added.
Zn  H 2 SO4  ZnSO4  2 H
HgS  2 H  Hg  H2 S 

Chromyl Chloride test fails if the mixture contains chlorides of Hg2+, Sn2+, Pb2+ Ag+, Cu2 , Hg2 , Sn , Pb
2 2 4 4
30.
.
31. In Chromyl Chloride test sometimes, a white ppt. is obtained after the addition of lead acetate solution
even in the absence of chlorine. This may be due to strong heating of the mixture with conc. H2SO4 .
When H2SO4 vapours are absorbed in NaOH solution or due to incomplete neutralisation of NaOH
which reacts with leadacetate to form leadhydroxide.
[Link]

32. Bromides and Chlorides donot give Chromyl Chloride test.

33. In layer test of bromide ion excess of chlorine water should not be used. It combines with bromine in the
following way to form colourless solution.
Br2  Cl2  2 BrCl (Colourless )
Br2  Cl2  2 H 2O  2 HCl  2 HOBr (Colourless )
34. In layer test of bromide ion in place of chlorine water conc. HNO3 can be used.
35. In layer test of iodide ion excess of chlorine water should not be used. It combines with bromine in the
following way to form colourless solution.
I 2  5Cl2  6 H 2O  10 HCl  2 HIO3 (Colourless)
36. Do not perform flame flame test in the presence of phosphate as it corrodes platinum wire.
37. Do not perform flame flame test in the presence of As, Sb, Sn, Bi, Pb as these radicals form alloy with Pt
and hence, the wire is spoiled.
38. Nitrate, Nitrite and sulphite are reduced by alkaline solution of active metals like Al, Zn, Mg etc.
Zn  2 NaOH  Na 2 ZnO2  2H
NO3 / NO2 / SO32 
[H]
NH 3 / NH 3 / H 2 S
Some specific tests for cations:

Cations Reagents Colour obtained

Pb2+ Di-(-4-dimethylaminodiphenyl)methane or (tetrabase) Blue
Gallocyanine Deep-violet
Diphenylthiocarbazone (dithizone) Red complex
Cu2+ Benzoin-α-oxime (cupron) Green ppt
Salicyladoxime Greenish-yellow ppt
Dithio-oxamide (rubeanic acid) Black ppt
Cd2+ Bis(p-nitrophenol)carbazide Brown ppt
4-nitrophnaphthalene-diazoamino-azobenzene(cadion) Red lake
Fe2+ 2,2’-Bipyridyl reagent Deep red
Dimethylglyoxime Red colour
1,10-Phenanthroline reagent Red
Fe3+ Ferron (8-hydroxy-7-iodequiniline-5-sulphonic acid) Greenish-blue
Al3+ Aluminon reagent(triammoniumaurinetricarboxylate) Red lake
Alizarin reagent Red lake
Alizarine-S reagent(sodiumalizarinsulphonate) Red lake
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 Quinalizarin(1,2,5,8-tetrahydroxyanthraquinone) Red lake
Cr3+ 1,5-dimethylcarbazide Violet colour
Chromotropicacid(1,8-dihydroxynaphthalene-3,6- Red colour
disulphonic acid)
Co2+ 1-Nitroso-2-naphthol reagent Reddish-brown ppt
Nitroso-R-salt(sodium-1-nitroso-2-hydroxynaphthalene- Red colour
3,6-disulphonate)
Zn2+ Quinaldic acid reagent(quinoline-1-carboxylic acid) White ppt
Ammoniumtetrathiocyanatomercurate(II)coppersulphate Violet ppt
Cobalt nitrate reagent Rinmann’s green
Diphenylthiocarbazone(dathizone) Red colour
Ba2+ Sodiumrhodizonate(rhodizonic acid, sodium salt) Reddish ppt
Sr2+ Sodiumrhodizonate(rhodizonic acid, sodium salt) Brown ppt
Ca2+ Sodiumdihydroxytartrateosazone[sodium salt of succinic Yellow ppt
acid-dioxo-2,3-bis(phenylhydrazone)] reagent
Picrolonic acid White ppt
[Link]

Mg2+ Dphenylcarbazide reagent Violet colour

Oxine reagent (8-hydroxyquinoline) Yellow ppt
Magneson-I (4-(4-Nitrophenylazo)-resorcinol)reagent Blue lake
Titan yellow (clayton yellow) Red colour or ppt
Quinalizarin reagent Blue colour or ppt
NH4+ Tannic acid-silver nitrate test Black Ag
Nitrobenzenediazoniumchloride Red colour
Perchloric acid or sodium perchlorate No ppt but K+ gives white
ppt

Some specific tests for anions:

Anions Reagents Colour obtained

Carbonate Phenolphthalene Decolourized by CO2
Sulphite Fuchsin test dil solution of triphenyl Decolourization
methane(green)
Zincnitroprusside Red colour
Hypo Ammonium molybdate Blue ring
Nickelethylenediamine nitrate Violet ppt
Sulphide N,N-Dimethyl-p-phenylenediamine(known as Methylene blue
Methylene blue test)
Nitrite Urea N2 & CO2 evoled
Thiourea N2 & Thiocyanic acid
Sulphamic acid N2 evolved
Indole reagent Red colour
Sulphanilic acid-1-naphthaylamine Red colour
reagent(Griess-Ilosvay test)
Bromide Fluorescein(yellow reagent) test with bromine Red
Fuschin (or Magenta) test with bromine Violet colour
Nitrate Diphenylamine reagent Blue ring
Nitron reagent (diphenyl-endo-anilo- White ppt
dihydrotriazole)
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 Distinguish between:
1. Test for bicarbonate in the presence of carbonate: Adding

2. Test for sulphite in the presence of hydrogen sulphite: Solution of

[Link]

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 Special test for mixture of anions:
[Link]

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