Built by Aabis
Notebook Theme

Experiment No. N

Analysis of Copper(II) Sulphite (CuSO₃)

Aim

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

Preliminary Test

  • Odor: Odorless
  • Texture: Crystalline
  • Color: White
  • Solubility: Soluble in water

Test of Anion

ExperimentObservationInference
Warm 1 mL of water extract or sodium carbonate extract with dilute H₂SO₄Colourless gas with pungent smell of burning sulphur is evolvedSO₃²⁻ may be present
Confirmatory Tests
Barium Chloride Test
Add barium chloride to water extract or sodium carbonate extract		White precipitate dissolves on adding dilute HCl and SO₂ is evolvedSO₃²⁻ is confirmed
KMnO₄ Decolourisation Test
Add dilute H₂SO₄ to the barium sulphite precipitate and then very dilute KMnO₄ solution		Colour of potassium permanganate solution is dischargedSO₃²⁻ is confirmed

Test of Cation

ExperimentObservationInference
Original solution + H₂S gas in presence of dil. HClBlack precipitate of Group-II A is formedGroup-II cation may be present
Confirmatory Test
Potassium Ferrocyanide Test
Dissolve the black precipitate in dilute nitric acid, boil the filtrate and then add potassium ferrocyanide		Chocolate brown precipitatePresence of Cu²⁺ is confirmed

Result

The given salt contains Cu²⁺ ions as cation and SO₃²⁻ ions as anion. The salt is CuSO₃.

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.