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Edexcel IAL Chemistry 17.28 V2O5 catalyst in the Contact process

Write the two-step catalyst cycle: sulfur dioxide reduces V2O5 to V2O4, then oxygen reoxidises V2O4 back to V2O5 while sulfur trioxide forms.

Syllabus
First assessment 2019
Course
Chemistry YCH11
Level
A2

Exam points

  • Write catalyst-cycle equations for V2O5 reduced by SO2 and V2O4 reoxidised by O2.
  • State the vanadium oxidation number cycle as +5 to +4 and back to +5 in V2O5.
  • Identify sulfuric acid manufacture as the process using a V2O5 catalyst.

17.28—Understand, in terms of oxidation number, how V2O5 acts as a catalyst in the contact process question 1

[Maximum number: 2]

This question is about the chemistry of vanadium.
The standard electrode potentials of some vanadium species are shown.

Table for Question 17.28—Understand, in terms of oxidation number, how V2O5 acts as a catalyst in the contact process question 1 — Edexcel A-Level Chemistry A2

In the manufacture of sulfuric acid, vanadium(V) oxide, V_2 O_5, is the catalyst used in the conversion of sulfur dioxide to sulfur trioxide:

2SO2+O2⇌2SO32 \mathrm{SO}_{2}+\mathrm{O}_{2} \rightleftharpoons 2 \mathrm{SO}_{3}

Write two equations to show a possible mechanism for this reaction.
State symbols are not required.

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