Cu²⁺ is Group II (B); Al³⁺ is Group III (A); Co²⁺ is Group IV (D); Ba²⁺ is Group V (C); Mg²⁺ is Group VI (E) -> Sequence: B, A, D, C, E!
1 Recall the canonical qualitative analysis cation groups and group reagents:
2 - Group 0: NH4⁺.
3 - Group I: Pb²⁺ (dil. HCl).
4 - Group II: Cu²⁺, Pb²⁺, As³⁺ (H2S in dil. HCl) -> Cu²⁺ = Group II (B).
5 - Group III: Fe³⁺, Al³⁺, Cr³⁺ (NH4OH in presence of NH4Cl) -> Al³⁺ = Group III (A).
6 - Group IV: Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Mn²⁺, Zn²⁺ (H2S in presence of NH4OH) -> Co²⁺ = Group IV (D).
7 - Group V: Ba²⁺, Sr²⁺, Ca²⁺ ((NH4)2CO3 in presence of NH4OH) -> Ba²⁺ = Group V (C).
8 - Group VI: Mg²⁺ (disodium hydrogen phosphate) -> Mg²⁺ = Group VI (E).
9 Increasing group number: B (II) < A (III) < D (IV) < C (V) < E (VI).
10 Sequence: B, A, D, C, E -> Option (3) in 5 seconds!
🛡️ Why You Can 100% Trust This Shortcut: NCERT Chemistry · Practical Chemistry (Systematic analysis of basic radicals: cation group separation scheme).