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Experiment No. N

Analysis of Aluminium Oxalate ((Al)₂(C₂O₄)₃)

Aim

To determine the presence of anion and cation in the given salt

Preliminary Test

  • Odor: Odorless
  • Texture: Crystalline
  • Color: White
  • Solubility: Slightly soluble in water

Test of Anion

ExperimentObservationInference
Take 0.1 g salt and add conc. H₂SO₄Colourless gases are evolved. On testing further, CO₂ and CO are evolvedC₂O₄²⁻ may be present
Confirmatory Tests
Calcium Chloride Test
Acidify extract with acetic acid and add calcium chloride
White precipitate of calcium oxalate is obtainedC₂O₄²⁻ is confirmed
KMnO₄ Test
Filter and add dilute H₂SO₄ to the precipitate, then dilute KMnO₄ and warm
KMnO₄ pink colour is dischargedC₂O₄²⁻ is confirmed

Test of Cation

ExperimentObservationInference
Original solution + Dil. HCl + NH₄Cl solid + NH₄OHWhite gelatinous precipitateAl³⁺ may be present
Confirmatory Tests
Dissolve white precipitate in dilute HCl and divide into two partsTo the first part, add sodium hydroxide and warm. A white gelatinous precipitate dissolves in excess sodium hydroxide solutionAluminium is confirmed
Blue Lake Test
To the second part, add few drops of blue litmus solution and then NH₄OH dropwise along the sides of the test tube
A blue floating mass appears in colourless solutionPresence of Al³⁺ is confirmed

Result

The given salt contains Al³⁺ ions as cation and C₂O₄²⁻ ions as anion. The salt is (Al)₂(C₂O₄)₃.

Precautions

  1. Handle the chemicals with care.
  2. Don't use excess of chemicals.
  3. Keep the mouth of the test tube away from the face.