elementary tests

[icepeaks635]

elementary tests provide us the rough idea about the compounds.

what can be the best steps to be taken or what are the best possible procedures for it?

[Horza2002]

Wow, this is an extremely broad range of possibilities!

 

I guess, the first step in identifying unknown compounds is get a high resolution mass spec. This will allow you go get a molecular formula for your unknown compound. This could then be linked further by MS-MS methods to montior the fragmentation of the parent ion...this would allow you to piece together the structure of molecule as they tend to fragment in very predictable ways. MS will also allow you to determine the overal charge of a molecule (specifically if it is a protein) and to a lesser extent, ionorganic complexes.

 

Another useful method for metal containing compounds would be obtain a UV-Vis spectra. This would allow you to determine the enviroment and charge state of any metal ions contained within your compounds. This is essentially the modern version of the flame test; adding a small amount of the compound to a flame and seeing what colour it goes.

 

Another useful step would also be a full NMR set of experiments; H-1, C-13, COSY, HMQC, HMBC, NOSEY, TOCSY, decoupling experiments all would be very useful.

 

Then there are the old school "wet" tests...like adding silver nitrate to see if there is a hlaide present. A white precipitate forms for chloride (silver chloride), cram for bromide (silver bromide) and yellow your iodide (silver iodide). Or if adding barium chloride gives a precipitate, then you have a sulphate. There are loads of these sorts of tests.