Chapter 2: Q124CP (page 40)

Commercial aluminium production is done by the electrolysis of a bath containing ${Al}_{2} O_{3}$ dissolved in molten ${Na}_{3} {AlF}_{6}$ . Why isn’t it done by electrolysis of an aqueous AlCl₃solution?

Short Answer

Expert verified

Aluminium cannot be formed from aqueous solutions because of overvoltage.

Step by step solution

Concept Introduction

The process of dissolving ionic compounds into their constituent components by delivering a direct electric current through the complex in a fluid form is known as electrolysis. At the cathode, cations are reduced, whereas anions are oxidised.

Electrolysis of Al2O2

Due to overvoltage, not all ions can be converted into their free element form via electrolysis, including these –

Cations of metals from Group.
Cations of metals from Groupand Aluminium from group.
The fluoride ion cannot be oxidized, while the rest of the halides can be.

cannot be electrolyzed from aqueous because metal cannot be formed from aqueous solutionsbecause of overvoltage.

Therefore, due to overvoltage metal cannot be formed.

$kg \times \frac{1000 g}{1 kg} \times \frac{1 mol mg}{24.31 g} = 493.62 mol Mg$

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Commercial aluminium production is done by the electrolysis of a bath containing ${Al}_{2} O_{3}$ dissolved in molten ${Na}_{3} {AlF}_{6}$ . Why isn’t it done by electrolysis of an aqueous AlCl₃solution?

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Concept Introduction

Electrolysis of Al2O2

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Commercial aluminium production is done by the electrolysis of a bath containing Al2O3dissolved in molten Na3AlF6. Why isn’t it done by electrolysis of an aqueous AlCl3solution?

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Concept Introduction

Electrolysis of Al2O2

One App. One Place for Learning.

Most popular questions from this chapter

Recommended explanations on Chemistry Textbooks

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Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

Commercial aluminium production is done by the electrolysis of a bath containing ${Al}_{2} O_{3}$ dissolved in molten ${Na}_{3} {AlF}_{6}$ . Why isn’t it done by electrolysis of an aqueous AlCl₃solution?