This module focuses on developing a scheme to determine which of the following anions is present in an aqueous solution.
| Group 14 | Group 15 | Group 16 | Group 17 |
| C(+4) | HCO3–, CO32– | N(+5) | NO3– | O(–1) | O22– | Cl(+1) | ClO– |
| | N(+3) | NO2– | S(+6) | HSO4–,SO42– | Cl(–1) | Cl– |
| | P(+5) | H2PO4–, HPO42–, PO43– | S(+4) | HSO3–,SO32– | Br(–1) | Br– |
| | | | S(+5, -1) | S2O32–
(–SSO3–)
| I(+5) | IO3– |
| | | | | I(–1) | I– |
The anion identification begins by testing whether the aqueous solution
changes red or blue litmus reacts with the oxidant MnO4–(aq) reacts with reductant I–(aq) The outcome of these experiments for the various anions can often be predicted using simple guidelines based on knowledge of oxidation states and the common strong acids. The first part of the module introduces you to the simple guidelines and then shows how to use p
Ka and electrode potential data where it is required.