Question

why carbon cannot be used to reduce the metal oxides or chlorides??

Answer 1

In the metallurgical operations ,proper reducing agents are needed to be selected for reduction of metal oxides.For this purpose ellingham diagram is helpful.


Reaction of reactive metals with oxygen to form oxides is very feasible.It is evident from ΔG values. Negative ΔG values represents the spontaneity of the reaction and hence stability of the oxide.

Reactive metals form exceptionally stable oxide,which is difficult to be reduced.On other hand oxides of carbon are less stable than the oxides of reactive metals.Thus carbon can not reduce oxides of reactive metals.


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