Gold is isolated from rocks by reaction with aqueous cyanide, CN:4 Au (s) + 8 NaCN (aq) + O 2 (g) + H 2 O (l) longrightarrow 4 Na[Au (CN) 2 ] (aq) + 4 NaOH (aq). (a) Which atoms from which compounds are being oxidized, and which at oms from which compounds are being reduced?

Question

Zechariah Galloway

Chemistry

26 March, 22:16

Gold is isolated from rocks by reaction with aqueous cyanide, CN:4 Au (s) + 8 NaCN (aq) + O 2 (g) + H 2 O (l) longrightarrow 4 Na[Au (CN) 2 ] (aq) + 4 NaOH (aq). (a) Which atoms from which compounds are being oxidized, and which at oms from which compounds are being reduced?

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Answers (1)

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Lexi Cline · Answer 1

Au gets oxidised and Oxygen gets reduced.

Explanation:

4Au (s) + 8NaCN (aq) + O₂ (g) + H₂O (l) → 4 Na[Au (CN) ₂] (aq) + 4 NaOH (aq)

Au is in 0 oxidation state is converted to an compound in that Au is in + 2 oxidation state so it gets oxidised.

O₂, gets reduced from 0 to - 1 oxidation state, so it also gets reduced.

Na and CN remains as such but with different atoms.