Class 12 Chemistry - Chapter General Principles and Processes of Isolation of Elements NCERT Solutions | Name the processes from which chlorine i

Welcome to the NCERT Solutions for Class 12th Chemistry - Chapter General Principles and Processes of Isolation of Elements. This page offers a step-by-step solution to the specific question from Exercise 2, Question 17: name the processes from which chlorine is obtained....
Question 17

Name the processes from which chlorine is obtained as a by-product. What will happen if an aqueous solution of NaCl is subjected to electrolysis?

Answer

In the electrolysis of molten NaCl, Cl2 is obtained at the anode as a by product.

NaCl(melt)   →  Na+(melt)  + Cl-(melt)

 

At cathode:  Na+(melt)   + e-    →   Na(s)

At anode: Cl-(melt)    →  Cl(g) + e-

2Cl(g)  →  Cl2(g)

The overall reaction is as follows:

If an aqueous solution of NaCl is electrolyzed, Cl2 will be obtained at the anode but at the cathode, H2 will be obtained (instead of Na). This is because the standard reduction potential of Na (E°= - 2.71 V) is more negative than that of H2O (E° = - 0.83 V). Hence, H2O will get preference to get reduced at the cathode and as a result, H2 is evolved.

NaCl(aq)  →  Na+(aq) + Cl-(aq)

At cathode:  2 H2O(l)  +  2e-   →   H2(g) + 2OH-(aq)   

At anode: Cl-(melt)    →  Cl(g) + e-

2Cl(g)  →  Cl2(g)

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