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Anion Analysis
Background
This experiment looks at the qualitative analysis for some of the common anions. We will look at the following anions:
TABLE 12.1
The tests for these anions are relatively simple and may be carried out with a minimum of interference from other ions. Anions may be grouped as follows: Group I: the sulfate group. SO42, CO 32, PO43 Group II: halide group. Cl, Br, I, S2 Group III: nitrate group. NO3 This division of the anions is based on the following facts: (1) in ammoniacal solutions only the anions of Group I are precipitated with Ba2+; (2) in HNO3 solution only anions of Group II are precipitated with Ag+. Therefore, the group reagent for Group I is NH 3 and BaCl2, and the group reagent for Group II is HNO 3 and AgNO3. There is no group reagent for Group III as this anion is soluble. Following the preliminary tests on a sample for anions, specific tests are made for those anions which have not been eliminated as possibilities. The chemistry involved and the basis for these specific tests are summarized below.
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Anion Analysis
Sulfate. This is the only anion of the Group I anions that forms a strong acid. Barium sulfate is insoluble in HCl solution because sulfate is the anion of a strong acid. All the other barium salts of the Group I anions dissolve in strong acid, e.g., Ba3(PO4)2 (s) + 2H+ 3Ba2+ + 2HPO42.
(EQ 12.1)
Therefore, the test for sulfate ion involves addition of HCl and BaCl 2 to the test solution, Ba2+ + SO42 forming barium sulfate, a white precipitate. Sulfide. The sulfide ion is stable only in basic solutions. Adding acid to a solution containing sulfide ion produces H2S gas, 2H+ + S2 H2S(g).
(EQ 12.3)
BaSO4(s)
(EQ 12.2)
The test for sulfide ion involves letting the H 2S gas come in contact with moist lead acetate paper forming black lead sulfide, H2S + Pb2+ PbS s).
(EQ 12.4)
Hydrogen sulfide also has a characteristic rotten egg odor. The sulfide ion can be destroyed by reaction with strong oxidizing agents such as sulfite ion or nitric acid. 2S2 + SO 32 + 6H+ 3S2 + 2NO3 + 8H+ 3S(s) + 3H2O 3S(s) + 2NO + 4H2O.
(EQ 12.5) (EQ 12.6)
Chloride bromide, iodide. These ions are, like the sulfate ion, the anions of strong acids. They form insoluble salts with silver ion in nitric acid. The colors of the silver salts are indicative of the anion present, but confirmatory tests are also needed. Silver chloride is white, silver bromide is pale yellow, and silver iodide is yellow. We can dissolve the AgCl by addition of aqueous ammonia solution forming the diamminesilver (I) complex ion, AgCl(s) + 2NH3 Ag(NH3)2+ + Cl
(EQ 12.7)
The AgBr is slightly soluble in ammonia solution, so concentrations must be carefully controlled. The AgI does not dissolve in ammonia. Bromide or iodide ions may be confirmed by oxidation with free chlorine generating free bromine or iodine. 2Br + C12 2I + C12 Br2 + 2C1 I2+2C1
(EQ 12.8) (EQ 12.9)
The free halogens are more soluble in hexane than in water and take on a distinctive color, bromine is red-brown and iodine is violet. By mixing the aqueous test solution with the hexane layer and observing the resultant color, the presence of bromide or iodide in the original solution may be confirmed.
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There are methods of distinguishing bromide and iodide in the presence of each other. But time limitations will not let us do that testing. Carbonate. Carbonate forms the weak acid, carbonic acid, which is not very soluble and breaks down forming water and carbon dioxide. 2H+ + CO32 H 2CO3 H2O + CO (g)
(EQ 12.10)
Addition of a strong acid to a solution containing carbonate, results in the formation of a colorless, odorless gas. This effervesence is sufficient to confirm carbonate of the anions we are testing for. If sulfite ion were present, further testing would be necessary as a similar reaction occurs with sulfite. Nitrate. We cannot use a precipitation method to test for the nitrate ion as all nitrate salts are soluble. The brown-ring test for nitrate ion involves its reduction by ferrous ion in concentrated sulfuric acid, NO3 + 4H + + 3Fe 2+ 3Fe3+ + NO + 2H2O
(EQ 12.11)
The nitric oxide complexes with excess ferrous ion forming the brown-ring FeNO2+ complex, Fe2+ + NO FeNO2+
(EQ 12.12)
It is essential that an excess of ferrous ion be used and that concentrated sulfuric acid is used. The nitrate test has several interferences. If bromide or iodide is present, the concentrated sulfuric acid will oxidize the halide ion to the free halogen, giving a false positive color. 2Br + SO42 + 4H+ Br2 + SO2 + 2H2O
(EQ 12.13)
Phosphate. This is the anion of a moderately weak, nonvolatile acid. The phosphate ion is precipitated by reaction with ammonium molybdate reagent forming a mixed salt, ammonium phosphomolybdate. 3NH4+ + 12MoO42 + pPO43 + 24H+ (NH4)3PO4 + 12MoO3 (s) + 12H2O
(EQ 12.14)
Sulfide ion interferes with this test but can be removed first by acidifying the solution with HCl and boiling it.
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Anion Analysis
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QUESTIONS
QUESTIONS
1. 2. 3. 4.
In the test for SO42-, explain why the addition of acid will dissolve other insoluble barium salts. Write the equation for the reaction of BaCO3 in acid solution. Why do Br and I interfere with the NO3 test? Explain fully using bromide as an example, including equations. Explain why an excess of Fe 2+ is necessary for the NO3 test. Tell how you could distinguish chemically between the following pairs of substances in one or two steps. In each case, tell what you would observe. Include equations for reactions occurring.
a. b. c. d.
HCl and H2SO4 NaBr and Na2CO3 BaSO4 and BaCO3 KNO3 and K3PO 4
5.
In the chart below, indicate what happens to each of the anions when its sodium salt is treated with (1) NH3 and BaCl2 solutions, and (2) HNO3 and AgNO3 solutions. Give the formulas of the products formed.
TABLE 12.2
Anion Br
BaCI2+ NH 3
HNO 3 + AgNO3
Write the net-ionic equations for the reactions involved in the testing of each of the anions.
a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h.
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Anion Analysis
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