Electrolysis of Molten Ionic Compounds

Molten compounds are compounds that are in the liquid state when they have been melted. For example sodium chloride is a solid at room temperature, however, when it is heated to a sufficiently high temperature it melts and the sodium chloride becomes liquid. It can be described as molten sodium chloride. For the sodium chloride to remain molten it must stay at a temperature above its melting point. If the temperature of sodium chloride drops below its melting point it starts to turn bac into a solid !the sodium chloride free"es#. In the solid state ionic compounds do not conduct electricity. bonded together are fixed in place and cannot move freely. $he ions that are

'olid sodium chloride Ions fixed in place

In the molten state the ions are free to move. $he charged ions can move and so create a current, very much li e electrons carrying a current in a wire.

Molten sodium chloride Ions free to move

$he ions are now able to move to the appropriate electrodes of an electrolytic cell. %pposites attract and so positively charged ions !cations# are attracted to the cathode !negatively charged electrode#, whilst negatively charged ions !anions# are attracted to the anode !positively charged electrode#. For each of the examples below& Write the formula for the ionic compound Deduce the products of the electrolysis Label the ions in the diagram (between the electrodes) and draw an arrow to show the direction they move (to the correct electrode). Write the half equation occurring at the anode and the cathode State the exact species that has been oxidised reduced

1.

Electrolysis of molten sodium chloride

Sodium chloride formula&

Product at Anode

Product at cathode:

Anode half equation

Cathode half equation

What ha

ens at the anode

What ha

ens at the cathode

2.

Electrolysis of molten magnesium bromide

Magnesium bromide formula&

Product at Anode

Product at cathode:

Anode half equation

Cathode half equation

What ha

ens at the anode

What ha

ens at the cathode

!.

Electrolysis of molten aluminium iodide

Aluminium iodide formula&

Product at Anode

Product at cathode:

Anode half equation

Cathode half equation

What ha

ens at the anode

What ha

ens at the cathode

".

Electrolysis of molten calcium o#ide

Calcium o#ide formula&

Product at Anode

Product at cathode:

Anode half equation

Cathode half equation

What ha

ens at the anode

What ha

ens at the cathode