Lassaigne's Test: This test detects the presence of nitrogen, sulfur, halogens, and phosphorus in an organic compound. An organic compound has these elements in covalent form. By fusing the chemical with sodium metal, these are transformed into the ionic form.
Na + C + N → NaCN
Na + S + C + N → NaSCN
2Na + S → Na2S
Na + X → NaX
The sodium cyanide, sulphide, and halide are removed from the fused material by boiling it in distilled water. Lassaigne's extract is the name given to the extract obtained in this manner. The presence of nitrogen, sulphur, halogens, and phosphorus is then determined in this Lassaigne's extract.
1. Chemistry of Nitrogen Test: The sodium fusion extract is heated with iron (II) sulphate and then acidified with sulphuric acid in the Lassaigne's test for nitrogen in an organic molecule. Sodium cyanide first interacts with iron (II) sulphate to generate sodium hexacyanoferrate in this method (II). The iron (II) is then oxidized by sulphuric acid to generate iron (III) hexacyanoferrate (II), which is Prussian blue. The reactions involved are shown below.
6CN - + Fe2 + → [Fe(CN)6]4 -
3[Fe(CN)6]4 - + 4Fe3 + → Fe4[Fe(CN)6]3
2. Test for Sulphur:
(i) Lassaignes's extract + Lead acetate→ Black precipitate
Chemistry of the test: The sodium fusion extract is acidified with acetic acid and then lead acetate is added to it in the Lassaigne's test for sulphur in an organic compound. The presence of sulphur in the combination is shown by the precipitation of lead sulphide, which is black in color.
S2 - + Pb2 + → PbS
(ii) Lassaignes's extract + Sodium nitroprusside → Violet colour
Chemistry of the Test: Sodium nitroprusside is used to treat the sodium fusion extract. The presence of sulphur in the compound is also indicated by the presence of violet color.
S2 - + [Fe(CN)5NO]2 - → [Fe(CN)5NOS] - 4
If both nitrogen and sulphur are present in an organic molecule, NaSCN is formed instead of NaCN.
Na + C + N + S → NaSCN
This NaSCN (sodium thiocyanate) color is blood red. The absence of free cyanide ions prevents the formation of prussian color.
3. Test for Halogen: The sodium fusion extract is acidified with nitric acid and then treated with silver nitrate in the Lassaigne's test for halogens in an organic molecule. If the organic compound contains both nitrogen and sulphur, the Lassaigne's extract is heated to remove the nitrogen and sulphur, which would otherwise interfere with the halogen test.