The product of electrolysis : Al at cathode and Cl₂(chlorine) at anode
<h3>Further explanation</h3>
Given
Aluminum chloride compound
Required
The product of electrolysis
Solution
The rule :
The reaction at the cathode(the negative pole) :
1. the reduced active metal is water, other than that the metal will be reduced
2. H⁺ of the acid will be reduced
The reaction at the anode((the positive pole) :
1. if the electrodes are not inert then the metal is oxidized
2. If inert then:
a. OH⁻ from the base will be oxidized
b. The halogen metal will oxidize
In the electrolysis of molten AlCl₃ with an inert electrode, the cation will be reduced at the cathode and the anion will be oxidized at the anode
Cathode : Al³⁺ + 3e⁻ ⇒ Al(s)
Anode : 2Cl⁻⇒Cl₂(g) + 2e⁻
