Qualitative Analysis of Inorganic Salts

Vocabulary flashcards covering the systematic qualitative analysis procedure for identifying cations (basic radicals) and anions (acid radicals).

Qualitative Analysis Scheme

A systematic flow of tests for determining the cations (basic radicals) and anions (acidic radicals) present in a given salt or salt mixture.

Basic Radical

The positively charged cation part of a salt, typically derived from bases such as $NaOH$, $NH_4OH$, or $BaCl_2$ (e.g., $Na^+$, $NH_4^+$, $Ba^{+2}$).

Acid Radical

The negatively charged anion part of a salt, typically derived from acids such as $HCl$, $H_2SO_4$, or $HNO_3$ (e.g., $Cl^-$, $SO_4^{-2}$, $PO_4^{-3}$).

Preliminary Test

Initial analytical steps used in salt analysis, consisting of physical appearance tests, dry heating tests, and other dry tests.

Confirmatory Test (Wet Test)

Solution-based analytical tests used to confirm specific cations (categorized into Group-I, II, III, IV, V, zero) and anions.

Class A Anions (Dilute Acid Group)

Anions that react with $dil\,H_2SO_4$ or $dil\,HCl$, which include $CO_3^{-2}$, $HCO_3^-$, $SO_3^{-2}$, $S^{-2}$, $CH_3COO^-$, $S_2O_3^{-2}$, and $NO_2^-$.

Class A Anions (Concentrated Acid Group)

Anions that react with $conc\,H_2SO_4$, which include $Cl^-$, $Br^-$, $I^-$, $NO_3^-$, $C_2O_4^{-2}$, and $BO_3^{-3}$.

Class B Anions

Anions that are identified by specific individual wet tests rather than acid evolution, including $SO_4^{-2}$ and $PO_4^{-3}$.