Sodium Iodide in Acetone Test

Standards
Reference tests done in Classification Tests for Halides Lab

Procedure
In a test tube place 0.25 mL or 0.2 g of your unknown. Add 2 mL of a 15% solution of sodium iodide in acetone, noting the time of addition. After the addition, shake the test tube well to ensure adequate mixing of the unknown and the solution. Record the time needed for any precipitate to form. After about 5 minutes, if no precipitate forms, place the test tube in a 50oC water bath. Be careful not to allow the temperature of the water bath to go above this temperature since the acetone will evaporate, giving a false positive result. After 6 minutes more in the bath, if no precipitates are visible, remove the test tube and let it cool to room temperature. Note any change that might indicate that a reaction has occurred. Continue slow reactions for up to 45 minutes at room temperature.

Positive Test
The formation of a white precipitate indicates the presence of halides.

Complications
When the sodium iodide solution is added to the unknown, a precipitate of sodium iodide might occur leading to a false positive test. Upon mixing, the precipitate of sodium iodide should dissolve.