Chapter 12

Qualitative Analysis
Qualitative Analysis

What is Qualitative Analysis (QA)?

It is a process used by a
chemist to identify the cations
and anions in an unknown
solution.

2
Qualitative Analysis

Identifying Cations
 Add NaOH or NH3(aq)/NH4OH:
− Most cations give precipitates with alkalis,
NaOH/NH3(aq), except Na+, K+ and NH4+.

• A cation can be identified by making the following

observations:
1. The colour of the precipitate produced
2. Whether the precipitate is soluble or insoluble in
excess NaOH/NH3(aq)
3. Whether ammonia gas is liberated on addition of 3
NaOH solution
 Qualitative Analysis

What is the precipitate formed?

 It is the hydroxide of the metal ion.

• Example: A solution containing Cu2+ forms

copper(II) hydroxide which is a light blue
precipitate. URL

Cu2+(aq) + 2OH−(aq) → Cu(OH)2(s)

from solution of from NaOH light blue

unknown
substance or NH3(aq) precipitate 4
Qualitative Analysis

Identifying Cations
Cation Test with NaOH(aq) Test with NH3(aq)
Al3+ A white precipitate is A white precipitate is
formed which dissolves formed.
in excess NaOH(aq) to The precipitate is
give a colourless insoluble in excess
solution. NH3(aq) .
Cu2+ A light blue precipitate is A light blue precipitate
formed which is is formed which
insoluble in excess dissolves in excess
NaOH(aq). NH3(aq) to form a deep
blue solution.
Some precipitates dissolve because they form 5

soluble compounds with excess NaOH or NH3(aq).

Qualitative Analysis

Aqueous ammonia, NH3(aq)

Identifying Cations Cation
On adding a
On adding excess
few drops
Example: Cu2+ Light blue Precipitate
Observation for NH3(aq) precipitate dissolves in excess
test on Cu2+ to form a deep blue
solution.
Record your observation as:
A light blue precipitate is
formed. It is soluble in
excess NH3(aq) to give a
deep blue solution.
6
Qualitative Analysis

Identifying Cations
Summary of tests with NaOH(aq)

Sodium hydroxide solution, NaOH(aq)

Cation
On adding a few drops On adding excess
Zinc ion, White precipitate Precipitate dissolves in excess
Zn2+ to form a colourless solution.
Aluminium White precipitate Precipitate dissolves in excess
ion, Al3+ to form a colourless solution.
Lead(II) White precipitate Precipitate dissolves in excess
ion, Pb2+ to form a colourless solution.
Calcium White precipitate Precipitate is insoluble in 7
ion, Ca2+ excess.
Qualitative Analysis

Identifying Cations
Summary of tests with NaOH(aq)
Sodium hydroxide solution, NaOH(aq)
Cation
On adding a few drops On adding excess
Copper(II) Light blue precipitate Precipitate is insoluble in
ion, Cu2+ excess.
Iron(II) ion, Green precipitate Precipitate is insoluble in
Fe2+ excess.
Iron(III) ion, Reddish-brown Precipitate is insoluble in
Fe3+ precipitate excess.
Ammonium No precipitate. No change is observed.
ion, NH4+ On heating, ammonia gas is 8
given off. Ammonia gas turns
moist red litmus paper blue.
Qualitative Analysis

Identifying Cations
Summary of tests with NH3(aq)

Aqueous ammonia, NH3(aq)

Cation
On adding a few drops On adding excess
Zinc ion, White precipitate Precipitate dissolves in excess
Zn2+ to form a colourless solution.
Aluminium White precipitate Precipitate is insoluble in
ion, Al3+ excess.
Lead(II) ion, White precipitate Precipitate is insoluble in
Pb2+ excess.
Calcium No precipitate No precipitate 9
ion, Ca2+
Qualitative Analysis

Identifying Cations
Summary of tests with NH3(aq)

Ammonium hydroxide solution, NH4OH(aq)

Cation
On adding a few drops On adding excess
Copper(II) Light blue precipitate Precipitate dissolves in excess
ion, Cu2+ to form a deep blue solution.
Iron(II) ion, Green precipitate Precipitate is insoluble in
Fe2+ excess.
Iron(III) ion, Reddish-brown Precipitate is insoluble in
Fe3+ precipitate excess.
10
 Qualitative Analysis

Summary Map (Identifying Cations)

11
 Qualitative Analysis

Summary Map (Identifying Cations)

12
Qualitative Analysis

Identifying Anions
Anion Test Observations for positive
test and inference
Carbonate Add dilute hydrochloric Effervescence is observed.
ion, CO32– acid. Colourless, Odourless gas
Pass the gas given off given off forms a white
URL 1
into limewater. precipitate with limewater.
Carbon dioxide gas is given
off.
Nitrate ion, Add sodium hydroxide Effervescence is observed.
NO3– solution, then add a Colourless, Pungent gas
piece of aluminium foil. given off.
URL 2
Warm the mixture.
Test the gas given off The moist red litmus paper 13
with a piece of moist red turns blue. Ammonia gas is
litmus paper. given off.
Qualitative Analysis

Identifying Anions
Anion Test Observations for positive
test and inference
Sulfate Add dilute nitric acid, A white precipitate of
ion, SO42– then add barium barium sulfate is formed.
nitrate solution.
URL 1

Chloride Add dilute nitric acid, A white precipitate of

ion, Cl– then add silver silver chloride is formed.
nitrate solution. URL 2

Iodide Add dilute nitric acid, A yellow precipitate of

ion, I– then add silver silver iodide is formed.
nitrate solution. URL 3
14
 Qualitative Analysis

Summary Map (Identifying Anions)

15
Qualitative Analysis

Identifying Gases

A gas is given off during a chemical reaction

when
 effervescence is observed in a liquid;
 the colour or odour of a gas is detected;
 a solid substance is heated (sometimes).

16
Qualitative Analysis

Identifying Gases
Gas Colour and Test Observations
odour
Hydrogen, Colourless Place a lighted The lighted
H2 and splint at the mouth splint is
odourless of the test tube. extinguished
with a ‘pop’
URL
sound.
pop
lighted
splint
17
Qualitative Analysis

Identifying Gases

Gas Colour and Test Observations

odour
Oxygen, Colourless Insert a glowing The glowing
O2 and splint into the test splint is
odourless tube. rekindled (i.e.
catches
glowing splint fire again).

18
Qualitative Analysis

Identifying Gases
Gas Colour and Test Observations
odour
Carbon Colourless Bubble gas A white
dioxide, and through limewater. precipitate is
CO2 odourless formed.
The precipitate
dissolves upon
limewater
further
bubbling.
carbon
dioxide
19
Qualitative Analysis

Identifying Gases

Gas Colour and Test Observations

odour
Chlorine, Greenish- Place a piece of The moist blue
Cl2 yellow gas moist blue litmus litmus paper
with a paper at the turns red, and is
pungent mouth of the test then bleached.
URL smell tube.
moist blue
litmus
paper
20
Qualitative Analysis

Identifying Gases
Gas Colour and Test Observations
odour
Sulfur Colourless Place a piece of The purple
dioxide, gas with a filter paper soaked acidified
SO2 pungent with acidified potassium
smell potassium manganate(VII)
manganate(VII) at turns
the mouth of the test colourless.
tube.
filter paper
soaked with
acidified 21
KMnO4
Qualitative Analysis

Identifying Gases

Gas Colour and Test Observations

odour
Ammonia, Colourless Place a piece of The moist red
NH3 gas with a moist red litmus litmus paper
pungent paper at the mouth turns blue.
smell of the test tube.
moist red
URL litmus
paper
22
 Qualitative Analysis

Summary Map (Identifying Gases)

23
Qualitative Analysis

Tests for the Presence of Water

Water is given off when hydrated salts are heated.

Example:
CuSO4.7H2O → CuSO4 + 7H2O

• Colourless liquid
• Condenses at mouth of the
test tube

24
Qualitative Analysis

Tests for the Presence of Water

1. Test with anhydrous cobalt(II) chloride

• Water will change the colour of dry cobalt(II)
chloride paper from blue to pink.

2. Test with anhydrous copper(II) sulfate.

• Water will change the colour of anhydrous
copper(II) sulfate from white to blue.

Note: These two tests only show the presence of water.

They cannot be used to test for the purity of water. 25
DECOMPOSITION OF SOLID SUBSTANCES

Potassium nitrate?

Zinc nitrate?

Copper(II) carbonate?

Zinc carbonate?

Copper(II) hydroxide?

Calcium hydroxide?

Ammonium hydroxide?