Question 21

Explain the following reactions

(a) Silicon is heated with methyl chloride at high temperature in the presence of copper;

(b) Silicon dioxide is treated with hydrogen fluoride;

(c) CO is heated with ZnO;

(d) Hydrated alumina is treated with aqueous NaOH solution

Answer

(a) When silicon reacts with methyl chloride in the presence of copper (catalyst) and at a temperature of about 537 K, a class of organo silicon polymers called methyl-substituted chlorosilanes (MeSiCl3, Me2SiCl2, Me3SiCl, and Me4Si) are formed.



 

(b) When silicon dioxide (SiO2) is heated with hydrogen fluoride (HF), it forms silicon tetrafluoride (SiF4). Usually, the Si-O bond is a strong bond and it resists any attack by halogens and most acids, even at a high temperature. However, it is attacked by HF.

SiO2   +   4HF   →   SiF4   +   2H2O

The SiF4 formed in this reaction can further react with HF to form hydrofluorosilicic acid.

SiF4   +   2HF   →    H2SiF6

 

(c) When CO reacts with ZnO, it reduces ZnO to Zn. CO acts as a reducing agent.

ZnO(s)  +  CO(g)  →  Zn(s)   +   CO2(g)

 

(d) When hydrated alumina is added to sodium hydroxide, the former dissolves in the latter because of the formation of sodium meta-aluminate.

Al2O3.2H2O   +   2NaOH    →    2NaAlO2   +   3H2O

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