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Test for Transition Metal Ions

If sodium hydroxide or ammonia solution is added to complex ion with water ligands insoluble hydroxides are precipitated. The precipitates of Mn(OH)2 and Fe(OH)2 darken as they oxidise in air. The metal ions can be identified by the colour of their precipitates. The table shows the colours of the precipitates and the result of adding excess NaOH.
Ion    With a little NaOH    With excess NaOH
Cu2+    pale blue precipitate    no change
Fe2+    green precipitate    no change
Fe3+    brown precipitate    no change
Al3+    white precipitate    dissolves to give a colourless solution

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Specification: AQA Chemistry (7405), A-level, 3.2.6 Reactions of ions in aqueous solution. Topic: Transition Metals.

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