Govt Exams
At high temperatures in the blast furnace, carbon monoxide (CO) is the primary reducing agent that converts iron oxides to metallic iron. Although coke produces CO, the actual reduction occurs through CO: Fe₂O₃ + 3CO → 2Fe + 3CO₂. This is thermodynamically favorable at furnace temperatures.
MnO₂ is the standard catalyst for KClO₃ decomposition, significantly lowering the decomposition temperature from ~400°C to ~240°C. It acts as a heterogeneous catalyst.
Transition metals like Mn show multiple oxidation states (+2, +3, +4, +6, +7) due to incomplete d-orbitals. Zn shows only +2, Cu shows +1 and +2.
In KBrO₄, K is +1 and each O is -2. Therefore: 1 + x + 4(-2) = 0, giving x = +7. Bromine achieves its maximum oxidation state in this perbromate ion.
V₂O₅ is the standard catalyst used in the oxidation of SO₂ to SO₃. It provides excellent activity and selectivity at 400-450°C operational temperature.
FeCl₃ undergoes significant hydrolysis: Fe³⁺ + H₂O ⇌ Fe(OH)²⁺ + H⁺. Fe³⁺ is a strong Lewis acid causing extensive hydrolysis and acidic solution.
SF₆ has 6 fluorine atoms bonded to sulphur with octahedral geometry. The hybridization is sp³d² involving d-orbitals from the third shell.
CO produced in the blast furnace acts as the primary reducing agent for Fe₂O₃. Although coke is fed, CO generated from coke combustion performs the actual reduction.
Coordination number is the number of ligands bonded to the central metal. Six NH₃ molecules surround Co³⁺, giving coordination number 6.
Ionization energy decreases down a group. Xenon (54 electrons) has the largest atomic radius and lowest ionization energy among noble gases listed.