Cation Analysis

CATION ANALYSIS
After analysis of anion in the give salt, start with cation analysis using the following procedure.
GROUP CATIONS GROUP REAGENT
0 NH4+ Salt + conc. NaOH
1 Pb+2 OS+ dil. HCl
2 Cu+2 OS + dil. HCl + H2S
3 Fe+3 , Al+3 OS + dil. HNO3(few drops) + NH4Cl(s) +
NH4OH(excess)
4 Co+2, Ni+2, Mn+2, Zn+2 OS + dil. HNO3 + NH4Cl(s) + NH4OH(excess) +
H2S
5 Ca+2, Sr+2 , Ba+2 OS + dil. HNO3 + NH4Cl(s) + NH4OH(excess) +
(NH4)2CO3
6 Mg+2 no group reagent
GROUP ZERO ANALYSIS(NH4+)

PRELIMINARY : heat a pinch of salt with conc NaOH.
OBSERVATION : Ammonical smell of due to ammonia gas evolution.
CONFIRMATORY TESTS:
1. HCl test: bring a rod dipped in dil HCl near the mouth of the test tube of preliminary test.
Evolution of white fumes of NH4Cl confirm the presence of ammonium ion.
2. Nessler’s reagent test: Pass the NH3 gas evolved through nessler’s reagent, the formation of a
brown ppt confirms the presence of ammonium ion.
GROUP 1 ANALYSIS(Pb+2)
PRELIMINARY : to the OS of the give salt add a few drops of dil. HCl
OBSERVATION : The formation of a white ppt of PbCl2 indicates the presence of Pb+2.
CONFIRMATORY TESTS: Dissolve the white ppt formed on the treatment of OS with dil. HCl in
some water and divide the solution into two parts. Perform the following tests with the solutions
formed:
1. Potassium iodide test: add a few drops of potassium iodide(KI) to one part of the above
solution. The formation of a yellow ppt confirms the presence of Pb+2.
2. Potassium Chromate test: add a few drops of potassium chromate(K2CrO4) to the other part
of the solution. The formation of a yellow ppt confirms the presence of Pb+2.
GROUP 2 ANALYSIS(Cu+2)
PRELIMINARY : to the OS of the given salt add a few drops of dil. HCl followed by passing H 2S
through the solution.
OBSERVATION: the formation of a black ppt indicates the presence of Cu+2 in the salt.
CONFIRMATORY TESTS: dissolve the ppt formed in 50% HNO3(using conc. HNO3) solution by
heating.
1. NH4OH test: add an excess of NH4OH to the above solution. The solution turns blue confirming
the presence of Cu+2 in the given salt.
2. Potassium ferrocyanide test: Acidify the above solution with 1-2 drops of acetic acid and add
a few drops of potassium ferrocyanide solution. The formation of a chocolate brown precipitate
confirms the presence of Cu+2.
GROUP 3 ANALYSIS(Fe+3, Al+3)
PRELIMINARY : to the OS of the given salt add a few drops of conc HNO 3 followed by a
small amount of NH4Cl. Heat to dissolve NH4Cl followed by the addition of excess of
NH4OH(till the solution smells of ammonia).
OBSERVATION: formation of a gelatinous white ppt indicates the presence of Al +3 and the
formation of a reddish brown ppt confirms the presence of Fe+3.
Dissolve the ppt formed in either case in dil. HCl and divide the solution formed into two
parts.
CONFIRMATORY TEST OF Fe+3

1. Potassium ferrocyanide test: To the first part add potassium ferrocyanide solution
(K4[Fe(CN)6). A blue precipitate/colouration appears.
2. Potassium thiocyanate test: To the second part add potassium thiocyanate solution. A blood
red colouration appears.
CONFIRMATORY TEST OF Al+3

1. NaOH test: To the first part add sodium hydroxide solution and warm. A white gelatinous
precipitate soluble in excess of sodium hydroxide solution.
2. Lake test: To the second part first add blue litmus solution and then ammonium hydroxide
solution drop by drop along the sides of the test tube. A blue floating mass in the colourless
solution is obtained.
GROUP 4 ANALYSIS( Mn+2 , Zn+2, Ni+2 , Co+2)
PRELIMINARY : if no ppt is obtained in the analysis of group 3, pass H 2S through the solution.
OBSERVATION: Formation of a black ppt indicates Co+2 or Ni+2 , white ppt indicates Zn+2
and buff(light pink) colored ppt indicates Mn+2.
CONFIRMATORY TEST OF Zn+2 (WHITE PPT)

1. Dissolve the white ppt in dil. HCl and add NaOH dropwise to the 3-4 drops of the formed
solution. The formation of a white ppt soluble in excess of NaOH confirms the presence of
Zn+2.
2. Potassium ferrocyanide test: To the OS of the salt add a few drops of potassium
ferrocyanide. The formation of a bluish white ppt confirms the presence of Zn+2.
CONFIRMATORY TEST OF Mn+2(FLESH/BUFF PPT)

1. Dissolve the ppt in dil. HCl and add a few drops of NaOH. The formation of a white ppt
which turns brown-black on addition of Br2 water confirms the presence of Mn+2.
2. Lead peroxide test: to the above ppt obtained add 1-2 drop of conc HNO3 followed by the
addition of lead peroxide. Boil and cool the solution. Formation of a pink coloured solution
confirms the presence of Mn+2.
CONFIRMATORY TEST OF Co+2(BLACK PPT)

Dissolve a small amount of the black ppt in a solution of 50% HNO 3 to obtain a clear
solution.
1. Potassium Nitrite test: To a few drops of the above solution add 2-3 drops of acetic acid
followed by a pinch of KNO2(potassium nitrite). The formation of a yellow ppt confirms
the presence of Co+2.
2. Ammonium thiocyanate test: to a part of the above solution add a crystal of ammonium
thiocyanate and shake. The development of blue colouration confirms the presence of Co +2.
CONFRIMATORY TESTS OF Ni+2(BLACK PPT)

Dissolve a small amount of the black ppt in 50% HNO3 to obtain a clear solution.
1. Dimethyl glyoxime test: to a part of the above solution add a few drops of the
dimethyl glyoxime solution and NH4OH. The formation of a bright red ppt confirms
Ni+2.
2. To another part add NaOH in excess followed by a few drops of bromine water. The
formation of a black ppt confirms the presence of Ni +2.
GROUP 5 ANALYSIS(Ca+2, Sr+2, Ba+2)
PRELIMINARY: in the OS of the given salt dissolve solid NH 4Cl, followed by the addition
of NH4OH in excess(till the solution smells of ammonia). Add (NH4)2CO3 solution in the
test tube.
OBSERVATION: White ppt of carbonates of the metals.

Dissolve the ppt in hot. Dil. CH3COOH and divide the solution prepared into three
parts. Go for the confirmatory tests of the ions i.e. Ba +2,Sr+2 and Ca+2 in the order
Ba→Sr→Ca.
(if you get a positive test for Ba+2 do not go for Sr+2 or Ca+2)
CONFIRMATORY TEST OF Ba+2
1. Potassium chromate test: to one part of the above solution add a few drops of
potassium chromate. The formation of a yellow ppt of barium chromate confirms the
presence of Ba+2 in the salt.
2. Flame test: perform flame test with the given salt . Grassy green flame indicates Ba+2.
CONFIRMATORY TESTS OF Sr+2

1. Ammonium sulphate test: to one part of the above solution add a few drops of
ammonium sulphate. The formation of a white ppt confirms the presence of Sr +2 in the
given salt.
2. Flame test: perform flame test with the given salt. A crimson red flame indicates Sr+2.
CONFIRMATORY TESTS OF Ca+2

1. Ammonium oxalate test: to the OS of the given salt add a few drops of ammonium
oxalate solution and shake. The formation of a white ppt confirms Ca+2.
2. Flame test: perform flame test with the given salt. A brick red flame confirms Ca+2.
GROUP 6 ANALYSIS(Mg+2)
PRELIMINARY: No preliminary test( direct confirmatory).
CONFIRMATORY TEST OF Mg+2

Ammonium phosphate test: to the 6-7 drops of the OS of the given salt add a pinch of
NH4Cl followed by NH4OH in excess. Then add a few drops of (NH 4)3PO4 solution to the
test tube and scratch the sides of the test tube. The formation of a white precipitate confirm
Mg+2.

Cation Analysis

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CATION ANALYSIS

GROUP ZERO ANALYSIS(NH4+)

GROUP 3 ANALYSIS(Fe+3, Al+3)

CONFIRMATORY TEST OF Fe+3

CONFIRMATORY TEST OF Al+3

GROUP 4 ANALYSIS( Mn+2 , Zn+2, Ni+2 , Co+2)

CONFIRMATORY TEST OF Zn+2 (WHITE PPT)

CONFIRMATORY TEST OF Mn+2(FLESH/BUFF PPT)

CONFIRMATORY TEST OF Co+2(BLACK PPT)

CONFRIMATORY TESTS OF Ni+2(BLACK PPT)

GROUP 5 ANALYSIS(Ca+2, Sr+2, Ba+2)

OBSERVATION: White ppt of carbonates of the metals.

CONFIRMATORY TESTS OF Sr+2

CONFIRMATORY TESTS OF Ca+2

PRELIMINARY: No preliminary test( direct confirmatory).

CONFIRMATORY TEST OF Mg+2

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