4.1.8
Electrolysis of Halide Compounds
Electrolysis of Halide Compounds in Aqueous Solution
Electrolysis of Halide Compounds in Aqueous Solution
Electrolysis splits halide compounds in water, which predicts products at both electrodes.


What is the electrolysis of halide compounds?
What is the electrolysis of halide compounds?
- Electrolysis uses electricity to break down halide compounds dissolved in water.
- Halide compounds include salts like sodium chloride (NaCl) or potassium bromide (KBr).
- The solution contains halide ions (Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻) and water molecules (H₂O).
- Electrolysis splits ions into elements or new substances at electrodes.


Products at the positive electrode (anode)
Products at the positive electrode (anode)
- At the anode, negative halide ions lose electrons (are oxidised).
- Halide ions (Cl-, Br-, I-) produce halogen gases (Cl2, Br2, I2).
- If water is present in a dilute solution, halide ions oxidise first, unless they are absent.
- The halogen gas bubbles appear at the anode during electrolysis.


Products at the negative electrode (cathode)
Products at the negative electrode (cathode)
- At the cathode, positive hydrogen ions (H+) or metal ions gain electrons (are reduced).
- In dilute solutions, H+ from water reduces to hydrogen gas (H2).
- Metal ions from halide salts (e.g. Na+, K+) usually stay in solution due to being very reactive.
- Hydrogen gas bubbles form at the cathode.


Effect of solution concentration
Effect of solution concentration
- In concentrated halide solutions, halide ions still discharge at the anode, producing halogen gas.
- At the cathode, hydrogen gas forms because metal ions of group 1 or 2 remain in solution.
- In dilute solutions, water ions mainly discharge at the anode and cathode.
- Concentration changes product proportions, but halogens appear at the anode.
1States of Matter
1.1Solids, Liquids, & Gases
2Atoms, Elements & Compounds
2.1Elements, Compounds & Mixtures
2.2Atomic Structure & the Periodic Table
2.3Isotopes
2.4Ions & Ionic Bonds
2.5Simple Molecules & Covalent Bonds
2.6Giant Covalent Structures
2.7Metallic Bonding
3Stoichometry
3.1Formulae
3.2Relative Masses of Atoms & Molecules
3.3The Mole & the Avogadro Constant
3.3.1Introducing Moles
3.3.2Amounts of Substances
3.3.3Moles & Equations
3.3.4Calculations Involving Gases
3.3.5Calculating Stoichiometric Reacting Masses
3.3.6Calculating the Moles of Solute
3.3.7Calculating Empirical Formula
3.3.8Chemical Equations
3.3.9Percentage Yield
3.3.10Calculating Yield
3.3.11Percentage Purity
4Electrochemistry
4.1Electrolysis
4.1.1Electrolytic Process
4.1.2Electrolysis Examples
4.1.3Electrolysis of a Binary Compound in Molten State
4.1.4Electroplating
4.1.5Transfer of Charge During Electrolysis
4.1.6Electrolysis of Aqueous Solutions
4.1.7Electrolysis of Copper Sulfate
4.1.8Electrolysis of Halide Compounds
4.1.9Half-Equations
4.1.10Combustion of Hydrocarbons
4.2Hydrogen–Oxygen Fuel Cells
5Chemical Energetics
6Chemical Reactions
6.1Physical & Chemical Changes
6.2Rate of Reaction
6.3Reversible Reactions & Equilibrium
6.3.1Reversible Reactions
6.3.2Conditions & Equilibrium
6.3.3Dynamic Equilibrium
6.3.4Changing Conditions - Heat & Water Effects
6.3.5Factors Affecting Equilibria - Temperature
6.3.6Factors Affecting Equilibria - Pressure
6.3.7Factors Affecting Equilibria - Concentration
6.3.8The Haber Process
6.3.9The Haber Process Equation
7Acids, Bases & Salts
7.1The Characteristic Properties of Acids & Bases
7.1.1Acids & Alkali
7.1.2Reactions of Metals with Acids
7.1.3Reactions of Bases with Acids
7.1.4Reactions of Carbonates with Acids
7.1.5Identifying Acids
7.1.6Properties & Effects of Acids
7.1.7Properties of Bases - Reactions with Acids & Salts
7.1.8Properties of Alkalis & Indicators
7.1.9Strong vs Weak Acids
7.1.10Strong vs Weak Bases
7.1.11Understanding Universal Indicator Paper
7.1.12Acids, Bases & the Neutralisation Reaction
8The Periodic Table
8.1Arrangement of Elements
8.2Group I Properties
8.3Group VII Properties
8.4Transition Elements
8.5Noble Gases
9Metals
9.1Properties of Metals
9.2Uses of Metals
9.3Alloys & Their Properties
9.4Reactivity Series
9.5Corrosion of Metals
9.6Extraction of Metals
10Chemistry of the Environment
10.1Water
10.2Fertilisers
11Organic Chemistry
11.1Formulae, Functional Groups & Terminology
11.2Naming Organic Compounds
11.3Fuels
11.4Alkanes
11.5Alkenes
11.6Alcohols
11.7Carboxylic Acids
11.8Polymers
11.8.1Polymers
11.8.2Problems With Polymers
11.8.3Polymers & Plastics
11.8.4Problems with Plastics
11.8.5Condensation Polymerisation
11.8.6Condensation Polymerisation Examples
11.8.7Addition Polymerisation
11.8.8Addition Polymerisation Examples
11.8.9Structure of Polymers
11.8.10Natural Polyamides - Proteins & Amino Acids
12Experimental Techniques & Chemical Analysis
12.1Experimental Design
12.2Acid-base Titrations
12.3Chromatography
12.4Separation & Purification
12.5Identification of Ions & Gases
12.5.1Testing Aqueous Cations 1
12.5.2Testing Aqueous Cations 2
12.5.3Testing Cations - Flame Tests
12.5.4Testing Cations
12.5.5Testing for Aqueous Cations
12.5.6Testing Anions - Sulfates
12.5.7Testing Anions - Nitrates
12.5.8Testing Gases - Hydrogen
12.5.9Testing Gases - Oxygen
12.5.10Testing Gases - Carbon Dioxide
12.5.11Testing Gases - Chlorine
12.5.12Identifying Gases
Jump to other topics
1States of Matter
1.1Solids, Liquids, & Gases
2Atoms, Elements & Compounds
2.1Elements, Compounds & Mixtures
2.2Atomic Structure & the Periodic Table
2.3Isotopes
2.4Ions & Ionic Bonds
2.5Simple Molecules & Covalent Bonds
2.6Giant Covalent Structures
2.7Metallic Bonding
3Stoichometry
3.1Formulae
3.2Relative Masses of Atoms & Molecules
3.3The Mole & the Avogadro Constant
3.3.1Introducing Moles
3.3.2Amounts of Substances
3.3.3Moles & Equations
3.3.4Calculations Involving Gases
3.3.5Calculating Stoichiometric Reacting Masses
3.3.6Calculating the Moles of Solute
3.3.7Calculating Empirical Formula
3.3.8Chemical Equations
3.3.9Percentage Yield
3.3.10Calculating Yield
3.3.11Percentage Purity
4Electrochemistry
4.1Electrolysis
4.1.1Electrolytic Process
4.1.2Electrolysis Examples
4.1.3Electrolysis of a Binary Compound in Molten State
4.1.4Electroplating
4.1.5Transfer of Charge During Electrolysis
4.1.6Electrolysis of Aqueous Solutions
4.1.7Electrolysis of Copper Sulfate
4.1.8Electrolysis of Halide Compounds
4.1.9Half-Equations
4.1.10Combustion of Hydrocarbons
4.2Hydrogen–Oxygen Fuel Cells
5Chemical Energetics
6Chemical Reactions
6.1Physical & Chemical Changes
6.2Rate of Reaction
6.3Reversible Reactions & Equilibrium
6.3.1Reversible Reactions
6.3.2Conditions & Equilibrium
6.3.3Dynamic Equilibrium
6.3.4Changing Conditions - Heat & Water Effects
6.3.5Factors Affecting Equilibria - Temperature
6.3.6Factors Affecting Equilibria - Pressure
6.3.7Factors Affecting Equilibria - Concentration
6.3.8The Haber Process
6.3.9The Haber Process Equation
7Acids, Bases & Salts
7.1The Characteristic Properties of Acids & Bases
7.1.1Acids & Alkali
7.1.2Reactions of Metals with Acids
7.1.3Reactions of Bases with Acids
7.1.4Reactions of Carbonates with Acids
7.1.5Identifying Acids
7.1.6Properties & Effects of Acids
7.1.7Properties of Bases - Reactions with Acids & Salts
7.1.8Properties of Alkalis & Indicators
7.1.9Strong vs Weak Acids
7.1.10Strong vs Weak Bases
7.1.11Understanding Universal Indicator Paper
7.1.12Acids, Bases & the Neutralisation Reaction
8The Periodic Table
8.1Arrangement of Elements
8.2Group I Properties
8.3Group VII Properties
8.4Transition Elements
8.5Noble Gases
9Metals
9.1Properties of Metals
9.2Uses of Metals
9.3Alloys & Their Properties
9.4Reactivity Series
9.5Corrosion of Metals
9.6Extraction of Metals
10Chemistry of the Environment
10.1Water
10.2Fertilisers
11Organic Chemistry
11.1Formulae, Functional Groups & Terminology
11.2Naming Organic Compounds
11.3Fuels
11.4Alkanes
11.5Alkenes
11.6Alcohols
11.7Carboxylic Acids
11.8Polymers
11.8.1Polymers
11.8.2Problems With Polymers
11.8.3Polymers & Plastics
11.8.4Problems with Plastics
11.8.5Condensation Polymerisation
11.8.6Condensation Polymerisation Examples
11.8.7Addition Polymerisation
11.8.8Addition Polymerisation Examples
11.8.9Structure of Polymers
11.8.10Natural Polyamides - Proteins & Amino Acids
12Experimental Techniques & Chemical Analysis
12.1Experimental Design
12.2Acid-base Titrations
12.3Chromatography
12.4Separation & Purification
12.5Identification of Ions & Gases
12.5.1Testing Aqueous Cations 1
12.5.2Testing Aqueous Cations 2
12.5.3Testing Cations - Flame Tests
12.5.4Testing Cations
12.5.5Testing for Aqueous Cations
12.5.6Testing Anions - Sulfates
12.5.7Testing Anions - Nitrates
12.5.8Testing Gases - Hydrogen
12.5.9Testing Gases - Oxygen
12.5.10Testing Gases - Carbon Dioxide
12.5.11Testing Gases - Chlorine
12.5.12Identifying Gases
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