The last step in the Dow process for the production of mag-nesium metal involves electrolysis of molten MgCl₂.(a) Why isn’t the electrolysis carried out with aqueous MgCl₂?What are the products of this aqueous electrolysis?(b) Do the high temperatures required to melt MgCl₂ favor prod-ucts or reactants?

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The last step in the Dow process for the production of mag-nesium metal involves electrolysis of molten MgCl₂.(a) Why isn’t the electrolysis carried out with aqueous MgCl₂?What are the products of this aqueous electrolysis?(b) Do the high temperatures required to melt MgCl₂ favor prod-ucts or reactants?

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a. Possible ionisation reactions that can take place in the elecrolytic cell during the electrolysis of aqueous,MgCl2 are as followsMgCl2aqMg2+aq+2Cl-aqH2OlH+aq+OH-aqThe reaction taking place at cathode isMg2+aq+2e-Mgs2H+aq+2e-H2gSince the discharge potential of hydrogen is lesser than that of magnesium, hydrogen is likely to be reduced easily than magnesium.Thus we ended up getting the hydrogen at cathode insted of magnesium during the electrolysis of aqueous MgCl2 solutionSince the discharge potential of chlorine is lesser than that of oxygen, chlorine gas is produced at anode in this process fue to overvoltage.Thus the products obtained in the electrolysis of aq MgCl2 solution are hydrogen at cathode and chlorine gas at anode.

 

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