Porous pellets of TiO₂ can be reduced to titanium metal at the cathode of an electrochemical cell containing molten CaCl₂ as the electrolyte. When the TiO₂ is reduced, the O^2-ions dis-solve in the CaCl₂ and are subsequently oxidized to O₂ gas at the anode. This approach may be the basis for a less expensive process than the one currently used for producing titanium.

(c) Write balanced equations for the anode, cathode, and overall cell reactions.

Video transcript

Hello. In this problem, we are told that molten sodium chloride can be reduced to sodium metal are passing an electric current through the molten salt to split it into its elements illustrated below is a simple diagram of the cell. We are asked to show the balanced equations for the anodes, the cathode and the overall cell reactions. So beginning then with the anodes. So recall that oxidation occurs at the anodes. So we will have oxidation then of our paradigms warm flooring gas and we see this taking place in this annual compartment, Floridians are being attracted towards the anodes where they are then oxidized form chlorine gas. We have an inert electrode so that it won't react with our highlight and we need a metal surface. In order for this reaction to occur. We then look at the cathode cathode calls where reduction takes place. So we will have then the reduction of our sodium ions form sodium metal. And so in the cathode compartment we have sodium mines being attracted to the electrode where reduction takes place again, we have an inert electrode. So in this case we have sodium as a liquid. So we need a metal solid. If we combine these two half reactions, we come up with the overall reaction in order to bind them, the number of electrons that are being lost has equal number of electrons being gained. So we'll take the reaction taking place at the cathode and multiply through by two and doing so then our moles of electrons will cancel. And then we're left with two moles of Short irons reacting with two moles of study minds. To give us chlorine gas and sodium metal. You can combine then our sodium and chloride eines. We have two moles of then molten sodium chloride point form pouring gas and sodium metal. So our overall reaction taking place at the anodes is then the oxidation of Floridians reaction taking place at the cathode is the reduction of our sodium minds to form sodium metal, and the overall reaction then, is the molten sodium chloride being converted to chlorine gas and sodium metal. Thanks for watching. Hope this helps.