Which of the following transition metal compounds is used as the catalyst in the industria… — JAMB UTME

Which of the following transition metal compounds is used as the catalyst in the industrial manufacture of tetraoxosulfate(VI) acid by the Contact process?

Vanadium(V) oxide ( $V_2O_5$ )Answer
B
Finely divided iron ( $Fe$ )
C
Finely divided nickel ( $Ni$ )
D
Manganese(IV) oxide ( $MnO_2$ )

Answer

Vanadium(V) oxide (

V_2O_5

) is the catalyst used in the Contact process.

Vanadium(V) oxide (

V_2O_5

) is the primary catalyst used in the Contact process to catalyze the reversible oxidation of

SO_2

SO_3

due to the ability of vanadium to vary its oxidation state between +5 and +4 during the catalytic cycle.

Step-by-Step Solution

Identify the key chemical transformation in the Contact process

The oxidation of sulfur(IV) oxide gas to sulfur(VI) oxide gas (

2SO_2 + O_2 \rightleftharpoons 2SO_3

This exothermic reversible step requires a catalyst to achieve an optimal reaction rate at reasonable temperature.

Recall the industrial catalyst specifically employed for this conversion

Vanadium(V) oxide (

V_2O_5

) is used as the preferred catalyst at around 450 °C.

Transition metals and their compounds exhibit variable oxidation states, allowing

V_2O_5

to facilitate electron transfer steps efficiently.

Key Concept

Catalytic behavior of transition metal compounds in industrial processes

Estimated Time:45s

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