At 900 °C, titanium tetrachloride vapor reacts with molten magnesium metal to form solid titanium metal and molten magnesium chloride (c) Which substance is the reductant, and which is the oxidant?

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Identify the oxidation states of the elements involved in the reaction. Titanium in titanium tetrachloride (TiCl₄) is in the +4 oxidation state, and magnesium (Mg) is in the 0 oxidation state.

Determine the oxidation states of the products. In the products, titanium (Ti) is in the 0 oxidation state, and magnesium chloride (MgCl₂) has magnesium in the +2 oxidation state.

Recognize the changes in oxidation states. Titanium goes from +4 to 0, indicating a reduction, and magnesium goes from 0 to +2, indicating oxidation.

Define the terms 'reductant' and 'oxidant'. The reductant is the substance that donates electrons (is oxidized), and the oxidant is the substance that accepts electrons (is reduced).

Conclude which substance is the reductant and which is the oxidant. Magnesium is the reductant because it is oxidized, and titanium tetrachloride is the oxidant because titanium is reduced.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Redox Reactions

Redox reactions, or reduction-oxidation reactions, involve the transfer of electrons between two species. In these reactions, one substance is oxidized (loses electrons) while another is reduced (gains electrons). Understanding which species undergoes these changes is crucial for identifying the oxidant and reductant in a chemical reaction.

Oxidation States

Oxidation states (or numbers) are a way to keep track of electron transfer in redox reactions. Each element in a compound is assigned an oxidation state based on its electron configuration and bonding. By analyzing the changes in oxidation states of the reactants and products, one can determine which species is oxidized and which is reduced.

Reactivity of Metals

The reactivity of metals plays a significant role in redox reactions, particularly in metal displacement reactions. More reactive metals can displace less reactive metals from their compounds. In the given reaction, magnesium is a more reactive metal than titanium, allowing it to reduce titanium tetrachloride to titanium metal while being oxidized to magnesium chloride.

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Textbook Question

At 900 °C, titanium tetrachloride vapor reacts with molten magnesium metal to form solid titanium metal and molten magnesium chloride. (a) Write a balanced equation for this reaction.

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Textbook Question

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