1.

Starting with sodium chloride how would proceedto prepare (i) sodium metal (ii) sodium hydroxide (iii) sodium peroxide and (iv) sodium carbonate ?

Answer»

SOLUTION :(i) Sodium metal is manufacturedby electrolysis of a fused mixture of NaCl (40%) and `CaCl_(2)` (60%) in Down's cell at 873 K using iron cathode and graphite anode .Na is liberated at the cathode while `Cl_(2)` is evolved at the anode ,
At cathode : `Na^(+)` (melt) `+ e^(-) to Na (l)`
At anode : `2 Cl^(-)` (melt) `to Cl_(2) (G) + 2 e^(-)`
(ii) Sodium hydroxide is manufactured by electrolysis of an aqueous solution of NaCl (brine ) in CASTNER Kellner cell using mercury cathode and carbon anode . Sodium metal which is discharged at the cathode combines with mercury to form sodium amalgam . `Cl_(2)` gas is evolved at the anode .
`{:("Cathode" : ,, Na^(+) + e^(-) to underset("Sodium")(Na) , ,, 2 Na + x HG to underset("Sodium amalgam")(Na_(2)Hg_(x))), ("Anode" : ,, 2Cl^(-) to Cl_(2) + 2 e^(-) ,,):} `
The sodium amalgam thus obtained is treated with water to form sodium hydroxide and hydrogen gas
`Na_(2)Hg_(x) + 2H_(2)O to 2 NaOH + x Hg+ H_(2)`
(iii) Sodium peroxide is obtained by HEATING sodium in excess of air . The intially formed sodium oxide reacts with more `O_(2)` to form `Na_(2)O_(2)`.
`{:(4Na + O_(2) overset(Delta)(to) 2Na_(2)O), (2 Na_(2)O + O_(2) overset(Delta)(to) 2Na_(2)O_(2)):}`
(iv) Sodium carbonate is obtained by Solvay ammonia process as discussed in Ans


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