Question

Which of the following Halogen is used in Van Arkel Method for refining Zirconium or Titanium?

• A. Chlorine
• B. Bromine
• C. Iodine
• D. Fluorine

Answer 1

The correct option is C

Iodine

Explanation for the correct option:

(c ) Iodine

• The Van Arkel process is a metallurgical refinement method for zirconium and titanium metal.
• The major impurities to be eliminated in this type of refining are oxygen and nitrogen
• These contaminants are eliminated by heating the zirconium or titanium metal in an iodine-filled evacuated vessel.
• $\mathrm{Ti}\left(\mathrm{s}\right)+2{\mathrm{I}}_2\left(\mathrm{s}\right)\stackrel{250°\mathrm{C}}{\to }{\mathrm{TiI}}_4\left(\mathrm{s}\right)$
• The metal then interacts with iodine to generate metal iodide, which is extremely volatile, whereas impurities remain in the vessel because they cannot react with iodine.
• As a result, the metal iodide is volatilized and heated on a tungsten filament.
• ${\mathrm{TiI}}_4\left(\mathrm{s}\right)\underset{\mathrm{Tungsten}\mathrm{filament}}{\overset{1400°\mathrm{C}}{\to }}\mathrm{Ti}\left(\mathrm{s}\right)+2{\mathrm{I}}_2\left(\mathrm{s}\right)$
• When heated over a tungsten filament at roughly$1400°\mathrm{C}$, the metal iodide decomposes into pure metal and iodine.
• This iodine can then be utilized in a subsequent cycle of refining.
• Hence this option is correct

Hence the correct option is (c ) Iodine