In the precipitation of the iron group \( (\text{III}) \) in qualitative analysis, ammonium chloride is added before adding ammonium hydroxide to:
increase concentration of \( \mathrm{NH_4^+} \) ions
prevent interference by phosphate ions
increase concentration of \( \mathrm{Cl^-} \) ions
decrease concentration of \( \mathrm{OH^-} \) ions