Question

When molten ICl₃ is electrolysed using platinum electrodes

(a) I₂ is evolved at cathode and Cl₂ at anode
(b) Cl₂ is evolved at cathode and I₂ at anode
(c) I2 is evolved at cathode and both I₂ and Cl₂ at anode
(d) electrolysis does not take place

Answer 1

In the electrolysis of molten ICl3 using platinum electrodes, I2 is evolved at the cathode, and Cl2 is evolved at the anode. The correct answer is option (a).

Step-by-step explanation:

When molten ICl3 is electrolysed using platinum electrodes, the products of the electrolysis are determined by the reduction and oxidation reactions at the cathode and anode, respectively. At the cathode, iodine ions (I+) gain electrons (are reduced) to form I2. At the anode, chloride ions (Cl-) lose electrons (are oxidized) to form Cl2. Therefore, the correct answer to the question is (a) I2 is evolved at the cathode and Cl2 at the anode.

This can be depicted by the following half-reactions:
At the cathode: 2I+ + 2e- → I2
At the anode: 2Cl- - 2e- → Cl2