Key Reaction Processes, Conditions & Equations
(IGCSE 0620)
Reaction/Process Equation & Ionic Details Conditions Observations
Haber Process N₂ + 3H₂ ⇌ 2NH₃ 450°C, 200 atm (20,000
(Ammonia production) kPa), iron catalyst
Contact Process 2SO₂ + O₂ ⇌ 2SO₃ 450°C, 2 atm (200 kPa),
(Sulfuric acid vanadium(V) oxide catalyst
production)
Cracking of Alkanes Long alkane → short alkanes High temperature, catalyst
+ alkenes (Al₂O₃)
Fermentation of C₆H₁₂O₆ → 2C₂H₅OH + 2CO₂ 25–35°C, yeast, anaerobic
Glucose (Ethanol) conditions
Ethanol from Ethene C₂H₄ + H₂O → C₂H₅OH 300°C, 60 atm (6,000 kPa),
(Catalytic Addition) phosphoric acid catalyst
Hydrogenation of C₂H₄ + H₂ → C₂H₆ 150°C, nickel catalyst
Alkenes
Oxidation of Ethanol to C₂H₅OH + [O] → CH₃COOH + Acidified aqueous potassium
Ethanoic Acid H₂O manganate(VII) or microbial
oxidation
Esterification Alcohol + Acid ⇌ Ester + H₂O Heat, acid catalyst (e.g.,
H₂SO₄)
Electrolysis of Molten PbBr₂(l) → Pb(l) + Br₂(g) Molten state, inert Anode:
PbBr₂ electrodes (carbon/graphite) Reddish-brown
gas produced
Cathode: Greyish
solid
Electrolysis of Cu²⁺ + 2e⁻ → Cu (cathode) Aqueous CuSO₄, copper Anode: Decrease
Aqueous CuSO₄ (Cu Cu → Cu²⁺ + 2e⁻ (anode) electrodes in size/mass of
electrodes) electrode
Cathode: Pink
solid (copper)
Electrolysis of aqueous Cu²⁺ + 2e⁻ → Cu (cathode) Aqueous CuSO₄, graphite Anode: Colorless
CuSO₄ (with graphite 4OH⁻ → O₂ + 2H₂O + 4e⁻ electrode gas produced
electrodes) (anode) Cathode: Pink
solid (copper)
Addition of Bromine to C₂H₄ + Br₂ → C₂H₄Br₂ Room temperature
Alkene
Displacement Reaction Cl₂ + 2KI → 2KCl + I₂ Occurs spontaneously by Chlorine (Cl₂)
(Halogens) Ionic: Cl₂ + 2I⁻ → 2Cl⁻ + I₂ reactivity trend displaces iodine
(I₂) from KI,
forming a dark
brown solution of
iodine.
F₂ + 2KCl → 2KF + Cl₂ Occurs spontaneously by Fluorine (F₂)
Ionic: F₂ + 2Cl⁻ → 2F⁻ + Cl₂ reactivity trend displaces chlorine
(Cl₂) from KCl,
forming a
colourless solution
of pale green.
Br₂ + 2KCl → 2KBr + Cl₂ Occurs spontaneously by Bromine (Br₂)
Ionic: Br₂ + 2Cl⁻ → 2Br⁻ + Cl₂ reactivity trend displaces chlorine
(Cl₂) from KCl,
forming an orange
solution of
bromine.
Rusting of Iron Iron + O₂ + H₂O → Hydrated Presence of oxygen and Rust forms as a
Fe₂O₃ water reddish-brown
solid.
Group 1 Metal with 2Na + 2H₂O → 2NaOH + H₂ Room temperature Bubbles of
Water (e.g., Sodium) hydrogen gas,
sodium floats and
moves on the
water surface.
Group 2 Metal with Ca + 2H₂O → Ca(OH)₂ + H₂ Room temperature Bubbles of
Water (e.g., Calcium) hydrogen gas.
Testing for Water Cobalt(II) chloride Anhydrous
Presence hexahydrate: cobalt(II) chloride,
CoCl₂·6H₂O ⇌ CoCl₂ + 6H₂O CoCl2, is blue
Hydrated cobalt(II)
chloride,
CoCl2•6H2O is
pink
Testing for Water Copper(II) sulfate Anhydrous
Presence pentahydrate: copper(II) sulfate,
CuSO₄·5H₂O ⇌ CuSO₄ + 5H₂O CuSO4 is white
Hydrated
copper(II) sulfate,
CuSO4•5H2O, is
blue
