Qualitative Analysis II
Identification of Gases
Test Observation Inference
Using moist litmus paper and bromine solution Greenish yellow gas with a pungent smell turns blue litmus paper red and bromine solution turns orange The gas is acidic
The gas is Cl2 gas
Using moist lead (II) ethanoate paper Moist lead (II) paper turns black Product formed is lead (II) sulphide
The gas is H2S
Using litmus paper and FeSO4 solution Reddish brown gas with a pungent smell turns blue litmus paper red and FeSO4 solution blue The gas is NO2 gas
Using litmus paper and Concentrated hydrochloric acid Colourless gas with a pungent smell turns red litmus paper blue and produces dense white fumes of reaction with HCl The white fumes produced is Ammonium chloride
The gas is alkaline
The gas is NH3
Using litmus paper and acidified solutions of K2Cr2O7 or KMnO4 Colourless gas with a pungent smell turns blue litmus paper red, turns orange K2Cr2O7 solution green and purple KMnO4 colorless The gas is acidic
The gas is a reducing agent
The gas is likely SO2

Note: Hydrogen chloride gas turns blue paper red and reacts with Ammonia to form white dense fumes of ammonium chloride

Test for Cations
Test Observation Inference
Add NaOH in drops and excess






Add NH3 in drops and excess






Add few drops of K4Fe(CN)6
Dirty green gelatinous ppt. formed insoluble in drops and excess turns brown on exposure to air

Dirty green gelatinous ppt. formed insoluble in drops and in excess turns brown on exposure to air

Light blue ppt. formed
Fe2+ present
















Fe2+ confirmed
Add NaOH in drops and excess




Add NH3 in drops and excess





Add few drops of K4Fe(CN)6

Reddish brown gelatinous ppt. formed insoluble in drops and excess

Reddish brown gelatinous ppt. formed insoluble in drops and in excess


Deep blue ppt. formed
Fe3+ present













Fe3+ confirmed
Add NaOH in drops and excess

Add NH3 in drops and excess




Add few drops of K4Fe(CN)6
Light blue ppt. formed soluble in excess

Light blue ppt. formed soluble in excess to give deep blue solution


Brown ppt. formed
Cu2+ present









Cu2+ confirmed
Add NaOH in drops and excess



Add NH3 in drops and excess



Add few drops of K2Cr2O7
White powdery ppt. formed soluble in excess


White powdery ppt. formed insoluble in excess


Yellow ppt. formed
Pb2+ present










Pb2+ confirmed
Add NaOH in drops and excess



Add NH3 in drops and excess



Add few drops of NH4Cl and NH3
White gelatinous ppt. formed soluble in excess


White gelatinous ppt. formed insoluble in excess


Yellow ppt. formed
Al3+ present










Al3+ confirmed
Add NaOH in drops and excess



Add NH3 in drops and excess



Add few drops of H2S
White gelatinous ppt formed soluble in excess


White gelatinous ppt. formed soluble in excess


White ppt. formed
Zn2+ present










Zn2+ confirmed
Add NaOH in drops and excess



Add NH3 in drops and excess



Add few (NH4)2CO3 from Ammonium Oxalate
White cloudy ppt. formed




Cloudy solution is formed with no ppt.



White ppt. formed
Ca2+ present










Ca2+ confirmed
Identification of Anions

Note: NO3- can be tested by using Conc. Sulphuric acid as it forms reddish brown fumes
NO3- forms a brown ring on reaction with FeSO4

Exercise
Summary