4.1.8

Electrolysis of Halide Compounds

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Electrolysis of Halide Compounds in Aqueous Solution

Electrolysis splits halide compounds in water, which predicts products at both electrodes.

Illustrative background for What is the electrolysis of halide compounds?Illustrative background for What is the electrolysis of halide compounds? ?? "content

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.
Illustrative background for Products at the positive electrode (anode)Illustrative background for Products at the positive electrode (anode) ?? "content

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.
Illustrative background for Products at the negative electrode (cathode)Illustrative background for Products at the negative electrode (cathode) ?? "content

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.
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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.

Jump to other topics

1States of Matter

2Atoms, Elements & Compounds

3Stoichometry

4Electrochemistry

5Chemical Energetics

6Chemical Reactions

7Acids, Bases & Salts

8The Periodic Table

9Metals

10Chemistry of the Environment

11Organic Chemistry

11.1Formulae, Functional Groups & Terminology

11.2Naming Organic Compounds

11.3Fuels

11.4Alkanes

11.5Alkenes

11.6Alcohols

11.7Carboxylic Acids

11.8Polymers

12Experimental Techniques & Chemical Analysis

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