Question

Potassium metal is commercially prepared by the reduction of molten KCl with metallic sodium is ${850}^0$ C (1123K). This method is based upon the following principle

• A. Sodium is more reactive than potassium at this temperature
• B. Potassium being more volatile distils off thus shifting the reaction forward
• C. Sodium prefers to bind to chloride ions in preference to potassium ions
• D. Potassium and sodium form an alloy at this temperature.

Answer 1

The correct option is C

Sodium prefers to bind to chloride ions in preference to potassium ions

KCl (fused) + Na (1123K) $\to$ NaCl + K;
Na prefers to bind to Cl^- ions in preference to $K^{+}$ ions.