Unknown Chemical

pH: Hold a strip of broad-range pH paper over the mouth of an unknown liquid. Fumes from concentrated hydrochloric acid and concentrated nitric acid will cause the paper to turn red without even touching the liquid. Fumes from ammonium hydroxide, even fairly dilute solutions, will turn the paper green. If no color change occurs, wet the pH paper with the liquid. If the paper indicates an acidic solution, it could be an acid, an ester or a solution of an acidic salt. If the solution is basic, it could be a solution of a hydroxide, a basic salt or an amine. Any solution having a pH equal to or less than 2.0, or equal to or greater than 12.5 is a corrosive hazardous waste.