Notebook Theme

Experiment No. N

Analysis of Iron(III) Chloride (Fe(Cl)₃)

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
Take 0.1 g of salt and add conc. H₂SO₄A colourless gas is evolved which gives dense white fumes with ammoniaCl⁻ may be present
Confirmatory Tests
Concentrated H₂SO₄ and MnO₂ Test
Take a pinch of MnO₂ in salt solution and add 3–4 drops of conc. H₂SO₄, then heat
Greenish yellow chlorine gas is evolvedPresence of Cl⁻ is indicated
Silver Nitrate Test
Acidify 1 mL of sodium carbonate extract with dilute HNO₃ (or use water extract) and add AgNO₃ solution
Curdy white precipitate soluble in NH₄OHCl⁻ is confirmed
Chromyl Chloride Test
Take a little salt with solid K₂Cr₂O₇, add conc. H₂SO₄, heat. Pass the evolved gas through sodium hydroxide solution, divide into two parts. Acidify one part with acetic acid and add lead acetate solution
The sodium hydroxide solution becomes yellow; adding acetic acid and lead acetate gives yellow precipitate of lead chromateCl⁻ is confirmed

Test of Cation

ExperimentObservationInference
Original solution + NH₄OH solutionReddish-brown precipitateGroup-III cation may be present
Confirmatory Tests
Potassium Ferrocyanide Test
Dissolve the precipitate in dilute HCl, divide into two parts and add potassium ferrocyanide to one part
Blue/Prussian blue precipitateFe³⁺ is confirmed
Potassium Thiocyanate Test
To second part add potassium thiocyanate solution
Blood-red colouration is formedFe³⁺ is confirmed

Result

The given salt contains Fe³⁺ ions as cation and Cl⁻ ions as anion. The salt is Fe(Cl)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.