AQA A2 CHEMISTRY

TOPIC 5.4

TRANSITION METALS
PART 2 – REDOX REACTIONS AND CATALYSIS

BOOKLET OF PAST EXAMINATION QUESTIONS

1. Chemical reactions can be affected by homogeneous or by heterogeneous catalysts.

(a) Explain what is meant by the term homogeneous and suggest the most important
feature in the mechanism of this type of catalysis when carried out by a transition-
metal compound.

Homogeneous .........................................................................................................
....

.................................................................................................................................
....

Most important mechanistic

feature ...........................................................................

.................................................................................................................................
....
(2)

2– 2–
–
(b) In aqueous solution, S2O 8 ions can be reduced to SO 4 ions by I ions.

(i) Write an equation for this reaction.

........................................................................................................................
...

........................................................................................................................
...

(ii) Suggest why the reaction has a high activation energy, making it slow in the
absence of a catalyst.

........................................................................................................................
...

........................................................................................................................
...

(iii) Iron salts can catalyse this reaction. Write two equations to show the role of
the catalyst in this reaction.

Equation
1 ........................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................
...

........................................................................................................................
...

Equation
2 ........................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................
...
........................................................................................................................
...
(4)
(c) Below is a sketch showing typical catalytic efficiencies of transition metals from
Period 5 (Rb to Xe) and Period 6 (Cs to Rn) when used in heterogeneous
catalysis.

C ataly tic
e fficien c y

P erio d 6

P erio d 5

S u cc essiv e tran sitio n m e ta ls

(i) Identify two metals which lie at opposite ends of these curves and explain
why they show rather low catalytic efficiency.

Identity of metal
1 .............................................................................................

Reason for low

efficiency .................................................................................

Identity of metal
2 .............................................................................................

Reason for low

efficiency .................................................................................

(ii) Suggest why these curves pass through a maximum.

........................................................................................................................
...

........................................................................................................................
...
(5)

(d) In catalytic converters which clean up petrol engine exhaust gases, a catalyst
promotes the reduction of nitrogen oxides using another polluting gas as
reductant. State a suitable catalyst for this task, identify the reductant, and write
an equation for the reaction that results.

Catalyst ...................................................................................................................
....

Identity of
reductant ...................................................................................................

Equation ..................................................................................................................
 ...

.................................................................................................................................
....
(3)
(Total 14 marks)
2. (a) State what is meant by the term homogeneous as applied to a catalyst.

.....................………………………………………………………………………….
(1)

(b) (i) State what is meant by the term autocatalysis.

...........………………………………………………………………………….

...........………………………………………………………………………….

(ii) Identify the species which acts as an autocatalyst in the reaction between
ethanedioate ions and manganate(VII) ions in acidic solution.

...........………………………………………………………………………….
(2)

(c) When petrol is burned in a car engine, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, oxides
of nitrogen and water are produced. Catalytic converters are used as part of car
exhaust systems so that the emission of toxic gases is greatly reduced.

(i) Write an equation for a reaction which occurs in a catalytic converter

between two of the toxic gases. Identify the reducing agent in this reaction.

Equation……………………………………………………………………….

Reducing agent ………………………………………………………………..

(ii) Identify a transition metal used in catalytic converters and state how the
converter is constructed to maximise the effect of the catalyst.

Transition metal ……………………………………………………………...

How effect is maximised ……………………………………………………..

...........………………………………………………………………………….
(5)

(d) The strength of the adsorption of reactants and products onto the surface of a
transition metal helps to determine its activity as a heterogeneous catalyst.

(i) Explain why transition metals which adsorb strongly are not usually good
catalysts.

...........………………………………………………………………………….

(ii) Explain why transition metals which adsorb weakly are not usually good
catalysts.

...........………………………………………………………………………….
(2)
(Total 10 marks)
3. Transition elements and their compounds are often used as catalysts.

(i) Explain why catalysts do not affect the position of an equilibrium.

........................................................................................................................
...

........................................................................................................................
...

(ii) Write an equation for one large-scale industrial process in which a transition
element is used as a catalyst. State the catalyst used.

Equation..........................................................................................................
...

Catalyst...........................................................................................................
....
(4)
(Total 4 marks)

4. A 0.263 g sample of impure iron, containing an unreactive impurity, was reacted with an
excess of hydrochloric acid. All of the iron in the sample reacted, evolving hydrogen
gas and forming a solution of iron(II) chloride. The volume of hydrogen evolved was
3
102 cm , measured at 298 K and 110 kPa.

The percentage, by mass, of iron in the sample can be determined using either the
volume of hydrogen produced or by titrating the solution of iron(II) chloride formed
against a standard solution of potassium dichromate(VI).

(a) (i) Write an equation for the reaction between iron and hydrochloric acid.

........................................................................................................................
...

(ii) Calculate the number of moles of hydrogen produced in the reaction.

........................................................................................................................
...

........................................................................................................................
...

........................................................................................................................
...

........................................................................................................................
...

(iii) Use your answers to parts (a)(i) and (ii) to determine the number of moles
of iron and the mass of iron in the original sample. (If you have been unable
–3
to complete part (a)(ii) you should assume the answer to be 4.25 × 10
mol. This is not the correct answer.)

Moles of iron
 .....................................................................................................

Mass of iron
......................................................................................................

(iv) Calculate the percentage of iron in the original sample.

........................................................................................................................
...

........................................................................................................................
...
(7)
 2+
(b) (i) Write half-equations for the oxidation of Fe and for the reduction of Cr2O
2–
7 in acidic solution, and use these to construct an overall equation for the
reaction between these two ions.
2+
Half-equation for the oxidation of Fe

........................................................................................................................
...

2–
Half-equation for the reduction of Cr2O 7

........................................................................................................................
...

Overall equation

........................................................................................................................
...

(ii) The number of moles of iron in the sample was determined in part (a)(iii).
Use this answer to calculate the volume of a 0.0200 mol dm–3 solution of
potassium dichromate(VI) which would react exactly with the solution of
iron(II) chloride formed in the reaction.
(If you have been unable to complete part (a)(iii) you should assume the
–3
answer to be 3.63 × 10 mol. This is not the correct answer.)

........................................................................................................................
...

........................................................................................................................
...

........................................................................................................................
...

........................................................................................................................
...

........................................................................................................................
...

(iii) Explain why an incorrect value for the number of moles of iron(II) chloride
formed would have been obtained if the original solution had been titrated
with potassium manganate(VII).

........................................................................................................................
...

........................................................................................................................
...
(7)
(Total 14 marks)
5. The following scheme shows some reactions of chromium compounds in aqueous
solution.

R eactio n 7
[C r(H 2 O 6 ] 3 + C r 2 O 27 –
C H 3C H 2O H
R eactio n 1 + H 2 S O 4 (aq )
N a 2C O 3
R eactio n 6
Z n + H 2 S O 4 (aq )

g rey -g reen p recip itate A + g as B b lu e so lu tio n D

R eactio n 2 R eactio n 4
ex cess N H 3 (aq )

[C r(O H )6 ] 3 – [C r(N H 3 )6 ] 3 +

R eactio n 3 R eactio n 5
ex cess H 2 N C H 2C H 2 N H 2

C rO 24 – ch ro m iu m -co n tain in g
sp ecies C

(a) (i) Identify a reagent for Reaction 2.

........................................................................................................................
...

2–
(ii) Deduce the oxidation state of chromium in CrO 4

........................................................................................................................
...

(iii) Identify a reagent needed for Reaction 3. Write a half-equation for the
2–
3–
conversion of [Cr(OH)6] into CrO 4

Reagent .........................................................................................................
....

Half-equation
....................................................................................................
(4)

(b) Identify the chromium-containing species present in the blue solution D formed in
Reaction 6 and state the role of zinc in its formation.

Chromium-containing species
....................................................................................

Role of
zinc..................................................................................................................
(2)
 (c) Two organic compounds are formed in Reaction 7. One of these compounds has
a low boiling point and can be distilled readily from the reaction mixture. The
other compound has a higher boiling point and is the main organic product
formed when the reaction mixture is refluxed.

(i) Identify the organic product which has a low boiling point.

........................................................................................................................
...

(ii) Identify the main organic product formed when the mixture is refluxed.

........................................................................................................................
...
(2)
(Total 8 marks)

6. Use the data below, where appropriate, to answer the following questions.

Standard electrode potentials E /V

2
S 2O 8
(aq) + 2e
–
 2SO 24 – (aq) +2.01
MnO 4– +
(aq) + 8H (aq) + 5e
–

2+
Mn (aq) + 4H2O(l) +1.51
– –
Cl2(aq) + 2e  2Cl (aq) +1.36
Cr2 O 72 – +
(aq) + 14H (aq) + 6e
–

3+
2Cr (aq) + 7H2O(l) +1.33
NO 3– (aq) + 3H+(aq) + 2e–  HNO2(aq) + H2O(l) +0.94
3+ – 2+
Fe (aq) + e  Fe (aq) +0.77

(a) State the colours of the following species in aqueous solution.

(i) Cr2 O 72 – (aq) ……………………………………………………….................

3+
(ii) Cr (aq) ……………………………………………………………………....

(iii) MnO 4– (aq) …………………………………………………………………..

(3)

(b) The concentration of iron(II) ions in aqueous solution can be determined by

titrating the solution, after acidification, with a standard solution of potassium
manganate(VII).

(i) Explain, by reference to the data given in the table above, why hydrochloric
acid should not be used to acidify the solution containing iron(II) ions.

...........………………………………………………………………………….

...........………………………………………………………………………….

(ii) Explain, by reference to the data given in the table above, why nitric acid
should not be used to acidify the solution containing iron(II) ions.

...........………………………………………………………………………….
 ...........………………………………………………………………………….
(4)
(Total 7 marks)

7. (a) Give two examples of transition metals which, for different reasons, do not
behave as good heterogeneous catalysts. In each case explain the poor catalytic
activity.

Metal
1......................................................................................................................
..

Explanation..............................................................................................................
...

.................................................................................................................................
....

Metal
2......................................................................................................................
..

Explanation..............................................................................................................
...

.................................................................................................................................
....
(6)

(b) (i) Explain why the rate of a reaction increases when a catalyst is used.

........................................................................................................................
...

........................................................................................................................
...

........................................................................................................................
...

(ii) Give one example of a reaction in which a homogeneous catalyst is used.

Identify the catalyst.

Reaction..........................................................................................................
..

Catalyst...........................................................................................................
..
(4)
(Total 10 marks)

8. (a) Define the term oxidising agent in terms of electrons.

.................................................................................................................................
.
(1)
(b) Give an example of a vanadium compound which acts as a catalyst, and give an
equation for the process which it catalysed.

Catalyst ...................................................................................................................
....

Equation for process

catalysed....................................................................................
(2)
 (c) Describe briefly how you would show that manganese(II) ions catalyse the
2–
reaction between manganate(VII) ions and ethanedioate ions, C 2 O 4 , in dilute
sulphuric acid.

.................................................................................................................................
.

.................................................................................................................................
.

.................................................................................................................................
.

.................................................................................................................................
.

.................................................................................................................................
.

.................................................................................................................................
.
(3)

(d) Give the reagents required to carry out each of the following conversions.

2–
3+
(i) [Cr(H2O)6  CrO 4

........................................................................................................................
...
2+ 3+
(ii) [Fe(H2O)6  [Fe(H2O)6

........................................................................................................................
...

–
2+
(iii) VO 3  [V(H2O)6]

........................................................................................................................
...
(6)
(Total 12 marks)

9. (a) (i) State, in general terms, how a catalyst works.

........................................................................................................................
..

........................................................................................................................
..

(ii) State a property of transition metal ions which enables them to act as
homogeneous catalysts.
 ........................................................................................................................
..

(iii) Give one example of a reaction in which a transition metal species is used
as a homogeneous catalyst. Identify the catalyst used.

Reaction .........................................................................................................
...

Catalyst used
....................................................................................................
(5)
 (b) Heterogeneous catalysts are used extensively in industrial processes.

(i) What is meant by the term heterogeneous?

........................................................................................................................
..

(ii) State three essential steps in the mechanism of heterogeneous catalysis.

Step
1.............................................................................................................
....

Step
2.............................................................................................................
....

Step
3.............................................................................................................
....
(4)

(c) (i) Identify the catalyst used in the Haber Process.

........................................................................................................................
..

(ii) Identify a substance which acts as a poison for this catalyst and explain
how poisoning occurs.

Catalyst poison
.................................................................................................

Explanation ....................................................................................................
..
(3)
(Total 12 marks)

2–
10. (a) Chromium(III) ions can be oxidised to CrO 4 ions by hydrogen peroxide in
alkaline solution.

2–
(i) State the oxidation state of chromium in CrO 4 .

........................................................................................................................
...
(1)

(ii) Balance the following ionic half-equation.

2–
3+ – –
......... Cr + ......... OH  ......... CrO 4 + ......... H2O + ......... e
(1)

(b) (i) Write an equation for the reaction that occurs when an aqueous solution
 2–
containing CrO 4 ions is acidified.

........................................................................................................................
...
(1)

(ii) State the colour change observed as the reaction in (d)(i) takes place.

........................................................................................................................
...
(2)
(Total 5 marks)

11. Describe by stating essential reagents and conditions how, starting from
potassium
dichromate(VI), you would obtain a solution containing each of the following ions
as the only chromium species. Give an equation for the reaction in each case.
3+
Cr (aq)

Reagent(s) …………………………………………………………………………...

Conditions ...........................................................................................................
…....

Equation .............................................................................................................
…….

.......................................................
…….......................................................................

.......................................................
…….......................................................................
2+
Cr (aq)

Reagent(s) …………………………………………………………………………...

Conditions ...........................................................................................................
…....

Equation .............................................................................................................
…….

.......................................................
…….......................................................................

.......................................................
…….......................................................................
(9)
(Total 9 marks)

12. (a) Explain why the strengths of adsorption of reactants and products onto the
surface of a catalyst are important factors in determining catalytic activity.
 .......................................................
…….......................................................................

.......................................................
…….......................................................................

.......................................................
…….......................................................................
(2)

(b) Give a reason, other than strength of adsorption, why the adsorption of reactants
onto a catalyst surface does not always result in a reaction.

.......................................................
…….......................................................................
(1)
 (c) Although the equilibrium constant, Kp, for the reaction

2SO2 + O2 2SO3

22 –1
is 4 × 10 kPa at 298 K, sulphur dioxide does not react readily with oxygen at
this temperature.

(i) Explain why this reaction does not occur readily.

.......................................................
……............................................................

(ii) The reaction between sulphur dioxide and oxygen is catalysed by nitrogen
dioxide, NO2. The mechanism involves the formation of nitrogen monoxide,
NO. Suggest two equations to show how NO2 could be involved as a
catalyst in this reaction.

.......................................................
……............................................................

.......................................................
……............................................................
(3)
(Total 6 marks)

13. Wilkinson’s catalyst is a complex compound containing the transition metal rhodium,
bonded to one chloride and three triphenylphosphine ligands. It can be represented by
the formula [RhCl(PPh3)3] where the phenyl group, C6H5, is written as Ph. In solution,
this compound is a homogeneous catalyst for the hydrogenation of alkenes.

(a) (i) State three characteristic features of a catalyst.

Feature
1 ...........................................................................................................

Feature
2 ...........................................................................................................

Feature
3 ...........................................................................................................

(ii) Explain what is meant by the term homogeneous in the paragraph above.

........................................................................................................................
....

(iii) Deduce the oxidation state and the co-ordination number of rhodium in
Wilkinson’s catalyst.

Oxidation
state ..................................................................................................

Co-ordination
number .......................................................................................
(iv) What feature of the triphenylphosphine molecule enables it to act as a
ligand?

........................................................................................................................
....
(7)
 (b) In the mechanism of the reaction of cyclohexene with hydrogen, catalysed by
Wilkinson’s catalyst, the intermediate [RhCl(H)2(PPh3)3] is formed.

(i) Write an overall equation for the reaction of cyclohexene with hydrogen.

........................................................................................................................
....

(ii) By stating a reagent and an observation, give a chemical test which would
show that this hydrogenation reaction has gone to completion.

Reagent(s) .....................................................................................................
....

Observation(s) ...............................................................................................
...

(iii) What feature of rhodium chemistry allows this catalyst to function?

........................................................................................................................
....
(4)
(Total 11 marks)

14. (a) State the difference between homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis.

.................................................................................................................................
....

.................................................................................................................................
....

.................................................................................................................................
....

(2)

(b) Explain the term activation energy.

.................................................................................................................................
....

.................................................................................................................................
....

.................................................................................................................................
....
(2)
 (c) In the examples below, decide whether the catalyst is homogeneous or
heterogeneous, and explain how it provides an alternative route of lower
activation energy in each case.

(i) The Contact Process

Homogeneous or
heterogeneous.......................................................................

Explanation of
catalysis....................................................................................

........................................................................................................................
...

(ii) Enzyme catalysed reactions

Homogeneous or
heterogeneous.......................................................................

Explanation of
catalysis....................................................................................

........................................................................................................................
...
(6)

(d) Suggest two different measures that can be taken to maximise the efficiency and
minimise the costs associated with a very expensive heterogeneous catalyst.

Measure
1....................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................
....

Measure
2....................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................
....
(2)
(Total 12 marks)

15. In a practical assessment, a candidate was required to analyse a sample of ammonium

iron(II) sulphate-6-water, Fe(NH4)2(SO4)2.6H2O, by titrating weighed samples against
0.0200 M KMnO4

(a) The candidate was told to dissolve the weighed sample in water and to add one
further reagent before titrating against 0.0200M KMnO4. Identify a suitable
reagent and state the colour change at the end-point of the titration.

Reagent....................................................................................................................
...
 End-
point................................................................................................................
....
(2)

(b) Write the half-equations for the two reactions occurring in the redox reaction of
iron(II) with manganate(VII) ions and deduce an overall equation for this reaction.

Half-equation for iron (II)..........................................................................................

Half-equation for manganate( VII)............................................................................

Overall
equation..........................................................................................................
(3)

(c) Calculate the mass of pure Fe(NH4)2(SO4)2.6H2O which reacts exactly with 25.0
3
cm of 0.0200M KMnO4

.................................................................................................................................
....

.................................................................................................................................
....

.................................................................................................................................
....

.................................................................................................................................
....
(4)
(Total 9 marks)

16. A chemist was given three aqueous solutions of metal sulphates and asked to identify
the cation present in each of the solutions. The table below shows the results of some
tests that were carried out by the chemist.

Solution Colour of Result of reacting the Result of reacting an

Solution solution with aqueuos acidified solution with a
sodium hydroxide strong oxidising agent

A Blue Pale blue gelatinous No change

precipitate

B Pale pink Buff precipitate Purple solution

C Green Green gelatinous precipitate Orange solution

(a) Give the formula of the hydrated coloured ion in:

(i) solution A;

........................................................................................................................
...
(1)
 (ii) solution C.

........................................................................................................................
...
(1)

(b) Give the formula of the coloured ion produced by oxidation of:

(i) solution B;

........................................................................................................................
...
(1)

(ii) solution C.

........................................................................................................................
...
(1)
(c) A standard solution of the purple ion obtained from B can be used to determine
the concentration of a solution of ethanedioate ions.

(i) Outline the experimental procedure for carrying out this determination.

........................................................................................................................
...

........................................................................................................................
...

........................................................................................................................
...

........................................................................................................................
...

........................................................................................................................
...

........................................................................................................................
...

........................................................................................................................
...

........................................................................................................................
...

........................................................................................................................
...

........................................................................................................................
...
(5)

(ii) Write an ionic equation to represent the reaction occurring.

........................................................................................................................
...

........................................................................................................................
...
(2)

(d) (i) Complete the electronic configuration of an iron atom.

2
1s ...................................................................................................................
..
(1)

(ii) Suggest why iron has two common oxidation states in its aqueous
chemistry.

........................................................................................................................
...
........................................................................................................................
...

........................................................................................................................
...

........................................................................................................................
...
(2)
(Total 14 marks)
17. (a) State the difference between homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis.

.................................................................................................................................
...

.................................................................................................................................
...
(1)

(b) State two reasons why an inert medium is sometimes used as a support for a
heterogeneous catalyst.

Reason
1....................................................................................................................

Reason
2...................................................................................................................
(2)

(c) Soluble iron salts catalyse the following reaction.

2– 2–
–
2I (aq) + S2O 8 (aq)  I2(aq) + 2SO 4 (aq)

Suggest a reason why the reaction is likely to be slow in the absence of a

catalyst. Write two equations to illustrate the action of the catalyst and explain
why both iron(II) salts and iron(III) salts can catalyse this reaction.

Reason.....................................................................................................................

Equation 1...............................................................................................................

Equation 2...............................................................................................................

Explanation for catalysis by iron (II) or iron(III) salts............................................

.................................................................................................................................
.

.................................................................................................................................
.
(4)
(d) (i) State three important features in the mechanism of heterogeneous
catalysis.

Feature 1........................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................
.

Feature 2.........................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................
.

Feature 3.........................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................
.

(ii) Write equations for two reactions which undergo heterogeneous catalysis
by a transition metal or one of its compounds.

Equation 1.......................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................
.

Equation 2.......................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................
.
(5)
(Total 12 marks)
 2–
The reaction between aqueous persulphate ions, S 2 O 8 (aq) , and iodide ions, I
–
18.
2+
(aq), is catalysed by Fe (aq) ions. Suggest why this reaction has a high
activation energy.
2+
Write equations to explain the catalytic action of Fe (aq) ions.
3+ 2+
Suggest why V (aq) ions will also act as a catalyst for this reaction but Mg (aq)
ions will not.
(6)
(Total 6 marks)

19. (a) Explain the following, writing equations where appropriate.

(i) When aqueous potassium manganate(VII) solution is added dropwise to an

acidified solution of ethanedioate ions, the potassium manganate(VII)
solution is decolourised slowly at first but more rapidly as more potassium
manganate(VII) solution is added. (In this reaction the ethanedioate ions,
2–
C2O 4 are oxidised to carbon dioxide.)

(ii) The aqueous reaction between iodide ions and peroxodisulphate ions
proceeds very slowly.
– 2– 2–
2I + S2O8  I2 + 2SO4

The addition of a little iron(II) sulphate increases the rate of reaction but the
addition of magnesium sulphate has no effect on the rate.
(10)

(b) A catalyst containing molybdenum(VI) was analysed for its molybdenum content
by reducing a sample to the molybdenum(III) state and then titrating with acidified
potassium manganate(VII) which oxidises molybdenum(III) back to
molybdenum(VI).
3
A 0.330 g sample of the catalyst, after reduction, was found to require 27.5 cm
of 0.0200 M potassium manganate(VII) to convert the molybdenum(III) into
molybdenum(VI).

Calculate the percentage by mass of molybdenum in the catalyst.

(5)
(Total 15 marks)

20. (a) State and explain the effect of a catalyst on the rate and on the equilibrium yield
in a reversible reaction.
(5)

(b) Explain the terms heterogeneous and active sites as applied to a catalyst. Give
two reasons why a ceramic support is used for the catalyst in catalytic converters
in cars. Explain how lead poisons this catalyst.
(7)

2+
(c) In aqueous solution, Fe ions act as a homogeneous catalyst in the reaction
2
between I and S 2 O 8 ions. Give one reason why the reaction is slow in the
–
 2+
absence of a catalyst. Write equations to show how Fe ions act as a catalyst for
this reaction.
(5)
(Total 17 marks)

21. (a) Vanadium(V) oxide is used as a heterogeneous catalyst in the Contact Process.

Explain what is meant by the terms heterogeneous and catalyst and state, in
general terms, how a catalyst works.

State the essential feature of vanadium chemistry which enables vanadium(V)

oxide to function as a catalyst and, by means of equations, suggest how it might
be involved in the Contact Process.
(7)

(b) The following method was used to determine the percentage by mass of
vanadium in a sample of ammonium vanadate(V).

A solution was made up by dissolving 0.160 g of ammonium vanadate(V) in dilute


sulphuric acid. The ammonium vanadate(V) formed VO 2 ions in this solution.

When an excess of zinc was added to this solution, the VO 2 ions were reduced
2+ 2+
to V ions and the zinc was oxidised to Zn ions.

After the unreacted zinc had been removed, the solution was titrated against a
–3 3
0.0200 mol dm solution of potassium manganate(VII). In the titration, 38.5 cm
of potassium manganate(VII) solution were required to oxidise all vanadium(II)
ions to vanadium(V) ions.

Using half-equations, construct an overall equation for the reduction of VO 2 to
2+
V by zinc in acidic solution.

Calculate the percentage by mass of vanadium in the sample of ammonium

vanadate(V).
(8)
(Total 15 marks)

22. In the Haber Process for the manufacture of ammonia, the following equilibrium is
established in the presence of a heterogeneous catalyst.

N2(g) + 3H2(g) 2NH3(g)

Identify the heterogeneous catalyst used in this process and state what is meant
by the term heterogeneous.

A heterogeneous catalyst can become poisoned by impurities in the reactants.

Give one substance which poisons the heterogeneous catalyst used in the Haber
Process and explain how this substance poisons the catalyst.
(5)
(Total 5 marks)
23. (a) Explain why the reaction between sodium ethanedioate, Na2C2O4, and potassium
manganate(VII) in acidified aqueous solution is initially slow but gradually
increases in rate. Write equations to illustrate your answer.
(6)

(b) State what is meant by the term active site as applied to a heterogeneous
catalyst. Explain how the number of active sites can be increased for a given
mass of catalyst. The efficiency of a heterogeneous catalyst often decreases
during use. Explain, using a specific example, why this happens.
(4)
(Total 10 marks)

24. (a) “The strength of adsorption onto the active sites on the surface of a
heterogeneous catalyst helps to determine the activity of the catalyst.”

Explain how heterogeneous catalysts work, give one example of a reaction

catalysed in this way and discuss why different catalysts have different activities.
(8)

(b) Outline a plan of an experiment to determine the percentage of iron present as

3+ 2+
iron(III) in a solution containing Fe (aq) and Fe (aq) ions. You are provided with
zinc, a standard solution of potassium dichromate(VI) and dilute sulphuric acid.
3+ 2+
Zinc can reduce Fe (aq) to Fe (aq).

Write equations for all the reactions that occur. Explain how you would use the
zinc and how you would calculate the final answer.
(7)
(Total 15 marks)

25. A 0.223 g sample of a mixture of ammonium dichromate(VI), (NH4)2Cr2O7, and

ammonium chloride was dissolved in dilute sulphuric acid. When this solution was
3
titrated with 0.100 M iron(II) sulphate solution, 24.0 cm were required to reduce all the
dichromate(VI) ions.

Construct an ionic equation for the reaction between dichromate(VI) ions and iron(II)
ions in acidic solution and use it to calculate the ratio of the number of moles of
ammonium dichromate(VI) to ammonium chloride in the mixture.
(Total 10 marks)
26. (a) A proprietary moss killer is a mixture of sand and hydrated iron (II) sulphate. Outline the
plan of
an experiment to determine the percentage by mass of iron (II) in a sample of this
moss killer using a standard solution of potassium dichromate(VI). You must show in
your answer how you would calculate the result of the experiment.
(8)

(b) Explain the following observations.

(i) Sulphur dioxide reacts quickly with oxygen if vanadium(V) oxide is present.

(ii) When a solution of potassium manganate(VII) is added dropwise to an

acidified solution of sodium ethanedioate, the purple colour is decolourised
only slowly at first but then more rapidly as more potassium manganate(VII)
is added.
(7)
(Total 15 marks)

27. (a) Explain why some elements in the d block of the Periodic Table are poor
heterogeneous catalysts. Illustrate your answer by reference to specific elements.
(4)

(b) Explain why, in some commercial processes, gaseous reactants are blown
through powder coated with solid catalyst.
(4)

(c) Very small amounts of impurity in mixtures of reactants can drastically reduce
catalytic activity. Give one example of this effect and explain why this happens.
(4)

(d) Suggest why the following reaction

2– 2–
–
S2O 8 (aq) + 2I (aq)  2SO 4 (aq) + I2(aq)

is slow unless a small amount of a soluble iron salt is added.

(3)
(Total 15 marks)
28. (a) Describe what you would see, and explain the changes which occur, when each
of the following solutions is treated with an excess of zinc and hydrochloric acid in
an apparatus which excludes air.

(i) potassium dichromate( VI)

(ii) ammonium vanadate(V)

(10)

(b) (i) Explain fully the meaning of the term homogeneous catalyst and explain,
with an example, how transition metal ions are able to act as homogeneous
catalysts.

(ii) Outline an experiment to determine whether manganese(II) ions will

catalyse the reaction between persulphate ions and iodide ions in aqueous
solution according to the equation
2– – 2–
S 2O 8 + 2I 2SO4 + I2
(12)

(c) In a heterogeneous catalysis experiment, vanadium(V) oxide was heated in

sulphur dioxide to produce vanadium(IV) oxide, but the reaction did not go to
completion. In order to determine how much vanadium(IV) oxide was produced,
the mixture of oxides was dissolved in dilute sulphuric acid to give a solution

2+
containing ions of both vanadium(IV) (as VO ) and vanadium(V) (as VO 2 )
+ 2+
VO2 + 2H VO + H 2O


+
V2O5 + 2H 2VO 2 + H 2O

The mixture of ions was titrated against potassium manganate( VII) solution when
the vanadium(IV) ions were oxidised to vanadium(V) ions according to the
equation

– 
2+ 2+ +
5VO + MnO 4 + H2O 5VO 2 + Mn + 2H

The vanadium(V) ions do not react with manganate( VII) ions.

3
A 0.300g sample of the mixed oxides required 25.0 cm of 0.0200 M potassium
manganate(VII) solution for complete reaction.

(i) Write the equation for the reaction of vanadium(V) oxide with sulphur
dioxide.

(ii) Calculate the percentage of VO2 in the mixture of oxides.

(8)
(Total 30 marks)