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.