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CHEMISTRY : Metal Cation Identification

M A N G A N E S E



PROJECT CODE: 02.11
SECTION: METAL CATION IDENTIFICATION
PROJECT TITLE: ID of MANGANESE Cations by Precipitation Reactions
RELEASE DATE: 9 JULY 1998
LAST UPDATE: 10-Jul-98
VERSION HISTORY: 1.0, 1.1 ( Context updates)
V2.0 ( Text and formatting update - Sep-2009)



INTRODUCTION:

This is an account on how to detect Manganese ions in solution by simple precipitation reactions. Manganese is not so easy to distinguish since many of its compounds are white precipitates or does not form a ppt at all. However, with The following set of tests it will be easy to confirm Manganese without requiring complex procedures or sophisticated equipment.

PRINCIPLE

As mentioned, the tests are simple precipitation reactions. A solution of a Manganese salt (Manganese Sulphate) was mixed with an equal ammount of another solution, in which a physical change is noted, usually a colour change due to a precipitation of the Manganese insoluble compound or formation of a complex since Manganese is a transitional metal.

Mn++ X (aq) + 2 Na+ Y- (aq) ===> Mn++ Y (s) + 2 Na+ X- (aq)
(s) Solid precipitate forming a colour change in soultion



One type of reaction is not enough, to confirm the presence of Manganese, since other metal salts can give the same results. The verification of 4 or 5 such tests will be enough to confirm Manganese in an unknown sample.

PROCEDURE

In 10ml testtubes, 4mls of Manganese solution was placed. To this, about 2mls of solution of the following compounds all having different anions (-ve) was added. If desired, the mixture was heated gently to increase rate of reaction or added in exess to detect further complex reactions, usually the dissolving of the ppt just formed.
The following compounds were mixed with the Manganese salt of which 16 produced a valuable result. These are marked with an Y in the React Column .
No. REAGENT NAME REACTION
01 Sodium Hydroxide Y
02 Ammonium Hydroxide Y
03 Sodium Carbonate Y
04 Potassium Sulphate
05 Sodium ThioSulphate
06 Sodium (Metabi)Sulphite
(y)
07 Sodium Sulphide Y
08 Sodium Fluoride
.
09 Sodium Chloride
10 Potassium Bromide
11 Ammomium Iodide
12 Potassium Iodate
13 Ammonium Phosphate Y
14 Sodium TetraBorate (Borate) Y
15 Sodium Salicylate
16 Sodium Benzoate
17 Tannic Acid
18 Sodium Malate sol.
19 Sodium Methanoate sol. Y
20 Sodium Ethanoate
21 Sodium Citrate
22 Sodium Tartarate
23 Sodium Silicate Y
24 Potassium Ferro(II)Cyanide Y
25 Potassium Ferri(III)Cyanide Y
26 Sodium Vanadate Y
27 Potassium Permanganate Y
28 Potassium Dichromate
29 Sodium Tungstate Y
30 Ammonium Molybdate
(y)
31 Sodium BiSelenite Y
32 Potassium Thiocyanate

RESULTS

01: Sodium Hydroxide

a) A WHITE/CREAM-PEACH ppt was formed which did not dissolved on xs.

b) On standing a characteristic brown ring at the surface exposed to air, and browning at the sides of the test tube (where the ppt is in contact with air taks place. c) No particular change on heating

The insoluble white hydroxide was precipitated. This is oxidized by air to a manganese (hydorxide) having a higher oxidizing state.

02: Ammonium Hydroxide

a) Similarly to the NaOH, a WHITE/CREAM ppt which gets a brownish tinge where it is in direct contact with air.

b) No reaction on heating. Manganese Hydroxide was precipitated by Ammonia

03: Sodium Carbonate

a) A PURE WHITE ppt which is not oxidised to a brown compound on standing in air, as did the hydroxide.

b) Heat had no effect on the ppt. Precipitation of Manganese Carbonate.

04: Sodium Sulphite (or Sodium Metabisulphite)

a) No rection initially

b) A faint white ppt was formed on heating strongly. Can be considered as a negative test, since not so much ppt was formed.

05: Sodium Sulphide

a) A FLESH BROWN ppt was formed immediately

b) No further reactions on heating, or standing out. Manganese Sulphide was ppted at once.

06: Ammonium Phosphate

a) A GELATINOUS WHITE ppt was formed.

b) On heating, no colour changes seem to happen. The insoluble Manganese phosphate was precipitated out.

07: Sodium Tetraborate

a) Initially a GELATINOUS WHITE PPT was formed,

b) On heating the ppt intensified to a CREAM WHITE colour. Manganese Borate was precipitated. Perhaps some degree of oxidation has taken place on heating.

08: Sodium Methanoate

a) No reaction

b) On heating strongly, just some brown ppt was formed

This is yet another test which is considered as a negative result

09: Sodium Silicate

a) A GELATINOUS CREAM/LIGHT BROWN ppt was formed.

b) No further reaction on heating or standing. Insoluble Manganese Silicate was precipitated.

10: Potassium Ferro(II)Cyanide

a) A MILKY WHITE ppt was formed

b) On heating no reaction took place. Another straight forward precipitation

11: Potassium Ferri(III)Cyanide

a) This resulted in MUDDY BROWN ppt

b) On heating + standing no further reaction took place. Precipitation reaction

12: Sodium Vanadate

a) The solution turned to a clear yellow colour, and on standing for few minutes a brown ring was formed at the surface of the solution

b) On heating a faint Yellow/Light Brown ppt was formed. Very strange reaction. erhaps a very slow ppt type of reaction.

13: Potassium Permanganate

a) A Dark Brown ppt was immediately formed. When filtered a clear solution + the drk brown ppt was obtained. Hence all the permangante have reacted rapidly.

b) No further reaction on heating. This is a great test for Manganese ions, as the permanganate rarely forms ppts. It is also strange that a manganese forms a ppt with the Permanganate anion (same element in cation + anion!)

14: Sodium Tungstate

a) A THICK WHITE ppt was formed

b) No further changes on heating.

15: Ammonium Molybdate

a) No colour change apart from the solution turned from colourless/pink to clear yellow solution.

b) No particular change on heating. Not quite an indicative test!?

16: Sodium Biselenite

a) No reaction initially, even upon adding xs BiSelenite

b) On heating strongly a WHITE ppt was formed. The white Manganese selenite ppt was formed on heating

CONCLUSION

Manganese is a transitional metal, but which unlike most metals of this family, it does not form many coloured ppt or complex solutions



It forms a white ppt with the Ammonium Hydroxide and Sodium Hydroxide (insoluble in xs) which turns to a brown ppt on contact with air. This is already a quite good indication of the presence of Manganese.

Thus is obviously not enough, hence further confirmatory tests are required. The ones which stand out are that with the Permanganate producing a dark brown precipitate and the muddy brown ppt produced with the Potassium Ferri(III)Cyanide solution. Also the milky white ppt with Ferri(II)Cyanide will help to exclude many suspected metals, such as Fe3+.

Unfortunately there are no other unique tests for Manganese.





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