The Reactions of 11 Compounds of Copper, Silver and Chromium With the Molten Lithium-Sodium-Potassium Carbonate Eutectic

Abstract

The reactions of Cu₂Cl₂, CuCl₂, AgCl , AgNO₃, CrCl₂, CrCl₃, Cr₂O₃, K₂CrO₄, K₂Cr₂O₇, K₂Cr₃O₁₀ and CrO₃ with the molten lithium-sodium-potassium carbonate eutectic were investigated under argon as well as carbon dioxide atmospheres. Copper(I) and copper(II) chlorides reacted to produce CuO with the evolution of CO and CO₂ respectively. The silver compounds reacted to produce silver metal and a mixture of O₂ and CO₂. Chromium(II) and chromium(III) chlorides and Cr₂O₃ were converted into alkali-metal chromate(III) species. Potassium chromate(VI) was found to be stable in the eutectic. Chromium(VI) oxide, dichromate(VI) and trichromate (VI) accepted oxide ions from the carbonate eutectic, and were ultimately converted into chromate(VI). Carbon dioxide was evolved in all the reactions of the chromium compounds; however, the CrCl₂ reaction produced a mixture of CO and CO₂. The temperature ranges of the reactions and their stoichiometries were established.