MODULE 4
CHEMISTRY OF METALS
Prepared by DOLORES C. SAGUN, BSCHEM, MASSE,LPT.
INTRODUCTION
As found in the periodic table the overwhelming majority of element, about 88%
are metals. In this module we shall study the occurrence of metals and examine
processes of obtaining metals from the ores focusing on:
a. THE MAIN GROUP METALS in GROUP 1 and GROUP 2 at the left of periodic
table commonly referred to as the Alkali Metals ( Group 1) and Alkalline Earth
( Group 2) . The group names reflect the strongly basic nature of oxides
hydroxides and of these elements.
b. THE TRANSITION METALS located in the center of the periodic table. There are
three series of transition metals each consisting of Ten elements located in the
fourth ,fifth and sixth period. We focus on the few important transition metals
particularly in the right of the first series.
The first part of the module deal with processes by which metals are obtained
from their principal ore. Then we proceed to the reaction of the alkali and
Alkalline Earth metals and the Redox chemistry of the Transition metals.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
1. Trace the major sources of metals.
2. Describe the Pretreatment Techniques for ores.
3. Discuss some Reduction processes that produce free metals.
4. Show awareness of the Essential metals present in the human body and other
living organism.
5. Apply the principles involved to solved problems in everyday life activities.
MOTIVATION
1. What are the uses of metals?
2. Cite some biological application of metals?
3. Visit a website on the chemistry of metals?
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CONTENT
LESSON 1 PROCESSES OF EXTRACTION OF METALS FROM ORES
METALLURGY is the commercial extraction of metals from their ores and the
preparation of metals for use. It usually involves:
1. Mining the ore.
2. Pretreatment of the ore.
3. Reduction of the ore to free metals.
4. Refining or purifying the metals
5. Alloying (if necessary).
OCCURRENCE OF THE METALS: Most metals come from minerals.
Mineral is a naturally occurring substance with a range of chemical composition.
ORE is a mineral deposit concentrated enough to allow economical recovery of a
desired metal. Metals exist in various forms. In earth surface, as an ions in sea water
and in the ocean floors.
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PRINCIPAL ORES OF GROUP 1 AND 2 AND TRANSITION METALS
Chloride Ore: Na from NACl
Na metal is obtained by electrolysis of molten NaCl
Electrode Reaction:
Cathode: 2 Na+(l) + 2e- -------- 2 Na (l)
Anode: 2 Cl-1 (l) -------- Cl2 (g) + 2 e-
___________________________________
2 NaCl (l) ------------ 2 Na (l) + Cl2 (g)
The cell operated at about 600 o C to keep the electrolyte molten. CaCl2 is added
to lower the melting point. About 14 KJ of electrical energy is needed to produce
one gram of Na which is drawn off as liquid ( M.P.= 98 oC). The Cl2 gas produced
at the anode is a valuable by product.
OXIDES OF ORE
Reduced by Electrolysis Process: Aluminum from Aluminum Oxide, Al from.
Al2O3 and Iron from Iron (II) Oxide ,Fe from Fe2O3.
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Aluminum from Bauxite Ore (Al2O3)
2 Al2O3 (l) cryolite 4 Al (l) + 3 O2 (g)
Cyrolite, Na3AlF6 added to Al2O3 to produce a mixture at about 1000oC or a
mixture of AlF3,NaF,CaF2 substitute of cryolite. The cell is heated electrically to
keep the mixture molten so that ions can move through it carrying a current about
30 KJ of electrical energy consumed per gram of Al formed.The high energy
requirement explain large part of value of Recycling Aluminum Cans.
The process of obtaining Al from bauxite was worked out by Charles Hall (1863-
1914).Paul Heroult (1863-1914) in France using Electrolytic Process
With Less Active Metals, Reducing agent can be used to reduced a metal
cat ion to the element.
COKE is the most common metallurgical reducing agent or CO2 formed from
coke (C).
Reduction of Hematite( Fe2O3) mixed with SiO2 occurs at the BLAST FURNACE
30 meters high. The furnace capable of withstanding a temperature 1800oC. At
the top of the furnace a solid mixture was admitted consist of ore,coke and
limestone (CaCO3). The process started, Blast of compressed air or pure O2 at
500oC is blown into the furnace through nozzle near the bottom. As shown in the
figure below.
Three Important reactions occur at the BLAST FURNACE:
1. Conversion of C to CO2.
2C (s) + O2 (g) ------------- 2 CO (g) AH = -221 KJ
2. Reduction of Fe+3 ions to Fe.
Fe2O3 (s) + 3CO --------- 2 Fe (l) + 3 CO2 (g)
Molten Fe formed at a temperature of 1600oC collects at the bottom of the
furnace. Four to five times a day is drawn off. Daily production of Fe from a
single blast is about 1500 metric tons.
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reproduction, distribution, uploading, or posting online in any form or by any means
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3. Formation of SLAG. The limestone added to the furnace decomposes at
About 800oC.
CaCO3 (s) ---------- CaO (s) + CO2(s)
CaO(s) + SiO2 (s) ------------- CaSiO3(l) Slag ( calcium silicate)
SLAG is used to make cement and based for road construction.
PIG IRON is the product that comes out of the blast furnace which is highly
impure.( 4% C, and less amount of Si, Mn,P.)
STEEL from Pig Iron the C content must be lowered to 2%. Most of the steel
produced in the world is made by OXYGEN PROCESS as shown in the
above picture.
CONVERTER filled with a mixture of 70% of molten Fe, 25 % scrap iron or
steel and 5 % lime stone. Pure oxygen under pressure at about 10
atmosphere( Atm) is blown through the molten metal.
C(s) + O2(g) --------- CO2(g)
The reaction is rapid, it took 30 minutes – one hour and the yield is 200 metric
tons in a single blow.
SULFIDE ORES : Cu from Cu2S
1. ROASTING . Sulfide ore after preliminary treatment is heated with air or
pure O2.
2 ZnS (S) + 3 O2 (g) -------------- 2 ZnO (s) + 2 SO2 (g)
Cinnabar : Sulfide ore of Hg
HgS (s) + O2 (g) -------------- Hg (g) + SO2 (g)
Chalcocite : Cu2S ( impure form)
2. FLOTATION is a process for concentrating a sulfide ore. It raises the
fraction of Cu 20 % - 40 %. The concentrated ore is then converted to the
metal by blowing air through it at high temperature 1000oC ( Pure O2 is
used instead of air)
3. Electrolysis Copper is purified by electrolysis.
Anode: 300 Kg Blister Cu
Electrolyte : 0.5M – 1.0 M CuSO4
Cathode: is a piece of Cu 150 Kg.
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The half reactions are:
Oxidation: Cu (s) --------- Cu +2 + 2e-
Reduction: Cu+2(aq) + 2e- -------- Cu (s )pure.
Overall reaction: Cu (s, impure) ------- Cu ( s, pure)
Electrolyte Copper is 99.95 % pure.
NATIVE METALS: GOLD (Au) and Silver (Ag) :
Gold and Silver are unreactive metals found in nature with a density of
Gold = 19.3 g/ml.
METHOD OF EXTRACTION
During the ancient times,Gold-bearing sand were wash out over ship skin
which retained the gold. This has been revealed by the Golden Fleece of
Greek Mythology.
Fortyniners in California obtained gold by swirling gold bearing sand with
water in pan less dense impurities were wash out,leaving gold nuggets or
flakes at the bottom of the pan.
Today,the gold content of ores is much too low for these simple
mechanical process to be effective .Ore is treated with dilute 0.01M
sodium cyanide through wiyh air is blown. Redox reaction takes place.
a. 4 Au(s) + 8 CN- (aq) + O2(g) + 2 H20 ------ Au(CN)-2 + 4 OH – (aq)
b. Zn(s) + 2 Au (CN)2 (aq) --------- Zn(CN)24 (aq) + 2Au (s)
Oxidizing agent Oxygen gas wich takes gold to + I state. Cyanide ion acts
as complexing ligand forming stable Au(CN)2. Metallic gold is recovered
by adding zinc to recover metal.
ASSESSMENT
INSTRUCTION: Answer the following questions? Show your solution?
1. Write a balance equation for the reduction of the principal ore of Mn,
Pyrulusite MnO2 with CO?
2. Silver (Ag,is obtained in much of the same manner as gold using
NACN solution and O2 . Describe with appropriate equation the
extraction of Ag from Argentite Ag2S. The products are SO2 and
Ag(CN)-2 which are reduced with Zn?
3. Write a balance equation to represent the electrolysis of Al2O3.If 2.00 L
of O2 at 25oC and 751 mm Hg is formed at the anode. What mass of Al
is formed at the cathode?
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LESSON 2 REACTIONS OF ALKALI AND ALKALINE EARTH METALS
INTRODUCTION
The metals of Group 1 and 2 are among the most of the reactive elements.Their
low ionization energies and high Eoox values explains why they are so readily oxidized to
cations +1 for group 1 and +2 for group 2. The alkali metals and the heavier alkaline
earth metals (Ca, Sr, Ba) are commonly stored under dry mineral oil or kerosene
to prevent them from reacting with O2 or water vapor in air. Magnesium Mg is less
reactive it is commonly available in the form of ribbon or powder. Berrylium Be as one
would expect from its position in the periodic table is the least metallic element in this
two groups. It is also the least reactive toward water, oxygen and other non metals.
MOTIVATION
1. Watch on You tube The Chemical Reactions of Alkali and Alkalli Earth Metals.
2. Submit a narrative report of what you have viewed.
Table Below is the REACTIONS OFALKALI AND ALKALLINE EARTH METALS:
REACTANT PRODUCT COMMENTS
ALKALI METALS (M)
H2 (g) MH(s) On heating with H2(g)
X2(g) MX(s) X= F, Cl, Br, I
N2(g) M3N(s) Only Li reacts;products contain N-3
S(s) M2S(s) On Heating
O2(g) M2O(s) Li; product is O-2 ion
M2O2 (s) Na; product is O2-2 ion
MO2(s) K,Rb,Cs; product is superoxide O2
+ -
H2O(l) H2(g)M , OH Violent Reaction with Na,K
ALKALLINE EARTH METALS (M)
H2(g) MH2(s) All except Be Heating required
X2(g) MX2(s) any Halogen
N2(g) M3N2(s) All except Be Heating required
S(s) MS(s) On Heating
O2(g) MO(s) all products contain O-2 ions
+ -
H2O(l) H2(g),M .OH Ca,Sr,Ba
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ASSESSMENT
Perform indicated Activity
Name: ______________________ Date:_____________
Course and Year: ______________ Rating: _____________
Exercise No. 4
Chemistry of Metals
A. Write the correct formulas of the following compounds of metals.
1. Strontium Hydride ________________ 6. Bauxite Ore ______________
2. Magnesium Nitride _______________ 7. Hematite ore _____________
3. Rubidium oxide ________________ 8. Cinnabar ore _____________
4. Potassium Chloride _______________ 9. Lime stone _______________
5. Sodium Sulfide ________________ 10. Halite _____________
B. Write a balance equations for the reactions of Alkalli and Alkalli Earth metals.
1. Sodium metal + Hydrogen gas _________ Sodium Hydride
2. Barium metal + Oxygen gas _________ Barium Oxide
3. Magnesium Oxide + Water _________ Magnesium hydroxide
4. Calcium Oxide + Water _________ Calcium Hydroxide
5. Potassium hydroxide + carbon Dioxide ______ Potassium Hydrogen
Carbonate
C. Solve the following Problems. Show your solution on the space provided.
1. Limestone, corals and seashells are composed primarily of calcium
carbonate. The test for identification of a carbonates is to use a few drops of
hydrochloric acid. The unbalanced equation is
CaCO3 + HCl ----------- CaCl2 + CO2 + H2O
a. Write the balanced equation.
b. How many atoms are in 0.150 moles of calcium carbonate?
c. What number of carbon dioxide molecules is released on the reaction of
0.150 moles of calcium carbonate?
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2. Consider the alkaline earth metal Strontium.
a. Write a balanced equation for the reaction of strontium with oxygen gas
and water.
b. What mass of the Chloride must be electrolyzed to form 1.0 Kg of
Strontium?
c. Calculate the mass of the chloride that must be electrolyzed to form 1.0
liter of Chlorine gas at STP. ?
References:
Books:
Masterton, William et.al. ( 2018) .Chemistry for Engineering Students: Principles and
Reactions. C & E Publishing Inc. Quezon Avenue.
Whittens,Kenneth W. et. al. (2005). General Chemistry. Thompson Brooks/cole, 7 th ed.
Singapore.
Websites:
www.scilinks.org.scilinks code: wch2010 topic minerals.
this module is for the exclusive use of the University of La Salette, Inc. Any form of
reproduction, distribution, uploading, or posting online in any form or by any means
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without the written permission of the university is strictly prohibited. 0
this module is for the exclusive use of the University of La Salette, Inc. Any form of
reproduction, distribution, uploading, or posting online in any form or by any means
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without the written permission of the university is strictly prohibited. 1
