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Question

Although there are several ores, 80% of the world copper production comes from the ore chalcopyrite (CuFeS2). The extraction of copper from chalcopyrite involves partial roasting, removal of iron and self-reduction. In the self-reduction step, the reducing species is:

A
S
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B
O2
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C
S2
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D
SO2
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Solution

The correct option is C S2
What happens during the self-reduction step?
Cu2S+2Cu2O6Cu+SO2(g)

There is a reason why the copper is called 'blister copper'.

Clearly, the metal gets reduced from (+1) oxidation state to 0 (elemental metallic copper).

However, there is no change in the oxidation state of oxygen atoms at all. That leaves us with the sulphide ion
S2 as the reducing species!

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