Unknown Ionic Compound

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Abstract The purpose of the experiment was to identify unknown ionic compound #. After many tests, the unknown was identified as sodium chloride. The cation (Na+) was determined by having a yellow/orange color flame test. The anion (Cl-) was determined by the chloride anion test when the unknown test solution showed a positive test for chloride. The synthesis of NaCl further identified the ionic compound by reacting sodium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid and obtaining solid sodium chloride. The synthesized compound formed was used to perform another flame test and the chloride anion test, which further solidified the identification of NaCl as the ionic compound. Introduction The purpose of the experiment was to identify unknown ionic compound…show more content…
For the sulfate anion test, 1 mL of 6M HCl and 1 mL of 0.1M BaCl2 react with 1 mL of the test solution to form a white precipitate product. This indicates the presence of sulfate (SO4¬2-). Sulfate anion equation: H2SO4 (aq) + BaCl2 (aq) → HCl(aq) + BaSO4 (s). The chloride anion test involves mixing 1 mL of the test solution and 1 mL of 0.1M AgNO3. White precipitate shows the presence of chloride (Cl-). Chloride anion equation: HCl(aq) + AgNO3 (aq) → HNO3 (aq) + AgCl(s). The nitrate anion test involves cooling a mixture containing 1 mL of test solution and 3mL 18M H2SO4. 2mL is poured down the inner test tube side and the presence of a brown ring shows nitrate (NO3-) to be present. The carbonate anion test mixes 1 mL of test solution and drops of 6M HCl. The formation of bubbles shows the presence of carbonate (CO32-). The acetate anion test heats 2 mL of the test solution, 1 drop of 18M H2SO4, and 1 mL (100%) ethanol. A fruity smell, using the wafting technique, shows the presence of acetate…show more content…
These tests consisted of a wafting test, a solubility test in deionized water, and a pH test. The unknown’s characteristics, discovered through the physical tests, were then compared with known cations: Sodium, Potassium, Calcium, Ammonia, and Magnesium. Flame tests were performed in order to classify the unknown cation. A small amount of the solid unknown ionic compound was placed on a watch glass. A wet swab was used to collect a small sample of the compound. The swab was placed over a Bunsen burner and the flame’s color was recorded. The flame test color of the unknown cation was then compared with the known cations, listed

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