Qualitative analysis
How to do salt analysis · Viva · Quiz
To analyse the given inorganic salt for one acidic and one basic radical.
| Experiment | Observation | Inference |
|---|---|---|
| Take 0.1 g salt + dilute H₂SO₄ | Colourless vapours with vinegar-like smell evolve | CH₃COO⁻ may be present |
| Confirmatory Tests | ||
| Ester Test Take 0.1 g salt in a test tube with ethanol and a little conc. H₂SO₄, then heat | Fruity odour of ethyl acetate is developed | CH₃COO⁻ is confirmed |
| Ferric Chloride Test Add neutral ferric chloride solution to the salt solution | Deep red colour appears; on heating it disappears and a brown-red precipitate forms | CH₃COO⁻ is confirmed |
| Experiment | Observation | Inference |
|---|---|---|
| Take 0.1 g of salt and add 1–2 mL of NaOH solution, then heat | A smell of ammonia is evolved | NH₄⁺ may be present |
| Bring a glass rod dipped in hydrochloric acid near the mouth of the test tube | Dense white fumes are observed | NH₄⁺ may be present |
| Confirmatory Test | ||
| Nessler's Reagent Test Pass the evolved gas through Nessler’s reagent | Brown colouration or a brown precipitate of basic mercury(II) amido-iodide is obtained | Presence of NH₄⁺ is confirmed |
The given salt contains NH₄⁺ as the cation (basic radical) and CH₃COO⁻ as the anion (acidic radical). The salt is Ammonium Acetate (NH₄CH₃COO).