Chlorine is produced commercially by
Chlorine is produced commercially by
- A) electrolysis of dilute HCl
- B) electrolysis of brine
- C) neutralization of HCl
- D) heating potassium trioxochlorate (V)
Correct Answer: B) electrolysis of brine
Explanation
Chlorine is produced commercially by theelectrolysis of brine, which is a correct option in this question. Brine is a solution of sodium chloride (NaCl) in water.
During the electrolysis process, an electric current is passed through the brine solution. This causes the sodium chloride to break down into its constituent elements, sodium (Na) and chlorine (Cl2). The chemical reactions that take place at the electrodes are as follows:
At the anode (positive electrode):
\[ 2Cl^- \rightarrow Cl_2(g) + 2e^- \]
At the cathode (negative electrode):
\[ 2Na^+ + 2e^- \rightarrow 2Na (s) \]
The reaction at the anode releases chlorine gas, while the reaction at the cathode produces sodium metal. In commercial production, the sodium metal reacts with water to form sodium hydroxide (NaOH), which is another useful industrial chemical.
It is important to note that other methods for producing chlorine exist, but electrolysis of brine is the most common and efficient method used in the industry.