Question

What is the role of Vanadium pentoxide ($V_2{O}_5$) in the contact process?

• A. It is one of the reactants used in this process.
• B. It acts as a catalyst in this process.
• C. It is one of the products of this process.
• D. This compound is not used in this process.

Answer 1

The correct option is B It acts as a catalyst in this process.

Vanadium pentoxide is the catalyst used in the converter stage of the contact process. Vanadium pentoxide acts like a catalyst to speed up the conversion of $S{O}_2$ to $S{O}_3$ as it is a very slow process. The equation of the reaction is given below.

$2S{O}_2\left(g\right)+O_2\left(g\right)\underset{{450}^{o}C}{\stackrel{V_2{O}_5}{\to }}2S{O}_3\left(g\right)$

Note: Vanadium pentoxide is not reacting in this reaction but is acting as a platform for the reaction to occur at a rapid pace.