The last step in the Dow process for the production of magnesium metal involves electrolysis of molten MgCl₂.(a) Why isn’t the electrolysis carried out with aqueous MgCl? What are the products of this aqueous electrolysis?

Respuesta :

The products obtained in the electrolysis of aqueous MgCl solution are hydrogen gas at cathode and chlorine gas at anode.

Possible ionization reactions that can take place in the electrolytic cell during the electrolysis of aqueous MgCl2 solution are as follows:

MgCl, (aq)  <====> Mg2+ (aq) + 2C1 (aq)

     H₂O(1)  <====>  H (aq) + OH (aq)

The probable reactions that can take place at cathode are as follows:

Mg (aq) + 2e→→ Mg(s)

2H (aq) + 2e→→→ H₂(g)

Since the discharge potential of hydrogen is lesser that that of magnesium, hydrogen is likely to be reduced easily than magnesium. Thus, we ended up getting the hydrogen at cathode instead of magnesium during the electrolysis of aqueous MgCl2  solution.

Since the discharge potential of chlorine is lesser than that of oxygen, chlorine gas is produced at anode in this process due to overvoltage.

        2CI (aq) →Cl₂ (g) + 2e

Thus, the products obtained in the electrolysis of aqueous MgCl solution are hydrogen gas at cathode and chlorine gas at anode.

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