Notebook Theme

Analysis of Arsenic(III) Nitrate (As(NO₃)₃)

Qualitative analysis

Aim

To analyse the given inorganic salt for one acidic and one basic radical.

Preliminary Test

  • Colour: White
  • Odour: Odourless
  • State: Crystalline solid
  • Solubility: Soluble in water

Test of Anion (NO₃⁻)

ExperimentObservationInference
Add conc. H₂SO₄ to the solution and boil with a few copper turnings/chipsOn heating, brown fumes (NO₂) are evolved in excess and the solution becomes blueNO₃⁻ may be present
Confirmatory Test
Brown Ring Test
Take 1 mL of salt solution, add 2 mL conc. H₂SO₄, cool, then add freshly prepared ferrous sulphate solution along the sides
Brown ring is formed at the junction of the two solutionsNO₃⁻ is confirmed

Test of Cation (As³⁺)

ExperimentObservationInference
Original solution + H₂S gas in presence of dil. HCl and NH₄ClYellow precipitate is formedGroup-II-B (As³⁺) may be present
Confirmatory Test
Ammonium Molybdate Test
Treat the dissolved precipitate with concentrated nitric acid and ammonium molybdate solution
Canary yellow precipitate is formedPresence of As³⁺ is confirmed

Result

The given salt contains As³⁺ as the cation (basic radical) and NO₃⁻ as the anion (acidic radical). The salt is Arsenic(III) Nitrate (As(NO₃)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.