Unknown Chemical

Oxidizer: Wet a piece of potassium iodide-starch paper with HCl diluted 1:3 with water and immerse in or touch to the unknown. If it’s an oxidizer the paper will turn blue-black. An alternate test is to mix the suspected oxidizer with fl our or sugar in a steel spoon as described in the flammable test. If the unknown is an oxidizer the mixture will burn much more vigorously than fl our or sugar by itself.

Reducing Agents: Reducing agents such as sodium hydrosulfite and formaldehyde will convert the yellow Cr+6 ion to the green Cr+3 ion. Add a slightly acidic solution of chromate or dichromate to the unknown and look for the color change.