Identification of ions and gases (Part II)
Tests to identify common anions
Single elements (monoatomic ions): chloride(Cl-), bromide(Br-), iodide (I-)
Compound ions: carbonate(CO32-), nitrate(NO3-), sulfite(SO32-),
sulfate(SO42-)
Carbonate ions
reaction with dilute acid and then testing for carbon dioxide gas
magnesium carbonate + hydrochloric acid magnesium chloride + water + carbon dioxide
MgCO3(s) + 2HCl(aq) MgCl2(aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g)
As this reaction takes place in solution, the gas formed is visible as
effervescence. Proof that the gas formed is carbon dioxide is determined by
bubbling the gas through limewater. If the carbon dioxide is present, the
limewater changes from clear to cloudy/milky.
Halide ions
acidifying with dilute nitric acid then adding aqueous silver nitrate
Test results: Cl- (white ppt), Br- (cream ppt), I- (yellow ppt)
If the test sample contains carbonate ions, it can interfere with this reaction
and so they need to be removed. This is done by the addition of an acid, which
reacts with carbonates to produce carbon dioxide, water and salt.
1st scenario (obtain chloride salt from metal carbonate)
magnesium carbonate + hydrochloric acid magnesium chloride + water + carbon dioxide
MgCO3(s) + 2HCl(aq) MgCl2(aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g)
magnesium chloride + silver nitrate magnesium nitrate + silver chloride
MgCl2(aq) + 2AgNO3(aq) Mg(NO3)2(aq) + 2AgCl(s)
2nd scenario (CO32-, these ions might present in the solution together with
chloride salt)
Remove the carbonates by addition of acid
CO32-(aq) + HNO3(aq) nitrate salt(NaNO3, Ca(NO3)2, etc) + H2O(l) + CO2(g)
Then, add silver nitrate
sodium chloride + silver nitrate sodium nitrate + silver chloride
NaCl(aq) + AgNO3(aq) NaNO3(aq) + AgCl(s)
If the carbonate ions are not removed from the solution, this will lead to invalid
conclusion as there are two white ppt
Nitrate ions (redox reaction)
reduction with aluminium foil and aqueous sodium hydroxide (heating gently)
and then testing for ammonia gas
key points:
- The nitrate ions are reduced to produce ammonia (NH3)
- The Aluminium metal is oxidised to give Al3+
- The ammonia produced is a gas and can be tested by placing damp red
litmus paper above the neck of the reaction vessel
- The positive result for ammonia is a colour change of the damp red
litmus from red to blue
Sulfate ions
acidifying with dilute nitric acid and then adding aqueous barium nitrate
As with the test for halide ions, the presence of carbonate ions can interfere
with the results.
Barium nitrate must be acidified using a small volume of nitric acid (or HCl)
Sulfite ions
reaction with acidified aqueous potassium manganate(VII)
The test for sulfite uses its oxidation to sulfate by a transition metal ion.
e.g. acidified potassium manganate(VII), KMnO4 (purple colour). If it is added to
a solution containing sulfite ions, a redox reaction takes place and the resulting
solution is colourless
Anion Test Result
effervescence (fizzing),
add dilute hydrochloric
2- carbon dioxide
carbonate (CO3 ) acid; test for carbon
produced (test with
dioxide gas
limewater)
acidify with dilute nitric
- white precipitate of
chloride (Cl ) in solution acid, then add aqueous
silver chloride formed
silver nitrate
acidify with dilute nitric
- cream precipitate of
bromide(Br ) in solution acid, then add aqueous
silver bromide formed
silver nitrate
acidify with dilute nitric
- yellow precipitate of
iodide (I ) in solution acid, then add aqueous
silver iodide formed
silver nitrate
acidify with dilute nitric
acid (or hydrochloric white precipitate of
sulfate (SO42-) in solution
acid), then add barium barium sulfate formed
nitrate solution
add dilute hydrochloric
decolourises the purple
acid, then add aqueous
sulfite (SO32-) potassium
potassium
manganate(VIl) solution
manganate(VIl) solution
add aqueous sodium
hydroxide, then add ammonia gas given off
-
nitrate (NO3 ) in solution aluminium foil and (test with moist
warm carefully; test for red litmus)
ammonia gas
FAQ
1) The test for carbonate ions can use any dilute acid. Hydrochloric acid is
most commonly used but dilute sulfuric acid or nitric acid would also
work. Explain why the type of acid used does not matter. Your answer
should refer to the equations for each acid when added to sodium
carbonate solution.
In general, the reaction of a carbonate with any acid produces carbon
dioxide. Therefore, the type of acid used does not matter.
2) Two solutions were prepared, one of magnesium iodide (MgI2) and the
other of magnesium chloride (MgCl2).
a. How could acidified silver nitrate (AgNO3) be used to show which
solution contained the magnesium iodide?
Acidified silver nitrate would produce a yellow ppt with the
magnesium iodide and a white ppt with the magnesium chloride.
b. Give equations for the two reactions.
3) A student testing for sulfate ions used barium nitrate acidified with dilute
sulfuric acid instead of the recommended hydrochloric acid. Would this
change in acid have any impact on the student's results? Explain your
answer fully.
