Question

8 ans
Q.8. What is chlor-alkali process? Write the chemical reaction taking place in the form of a balanced chemical equation. Name the gases liberated at the cathode and at the anode respectively.

Answer 1

Dear Student,

When electricity is passed through an aqueous solution of sodium chloride (called brine), it decomposes to form sodium hydroxide. The process is called the chlor-alkali process because of the products formed- chlor for chlorine and alkali for sodium hydroxide. Following is the chemical equation for the process

2NaCl (aq) + 2H₂O (l) → 2NaOH (aq) + Cl₂ (g) + H₂ (g)

Chlorine gas is liberated at the anode while hydrogen gas is liberated at the cathode.