What is the electrolysis of concentrated potassium chloride in aqueous solutions?

1 Answer
Jun 19, 2017

It means the charge is taken away from the potassium and chloride ions at the electrodes.

Explanation:

The solution may be represented by #K^+(aq) and Cl^(-)(aq)#

At the positive electrode (anode) the following happens:
#Cl^- ->Cl+e^-#
#2Cl->Cl_2(g)#

At the other side (cathode):
#K^+ +e^(-) ->K#
#K+H_2O->K^+ +OH^- +H#
#2H->H_2(g)#

So the net result is that at the anode chlorine gas is released, at the cathode hydrogen gas is released, and a strong solution of potassium hydroxide is left in the container:

#2KCl(aq)+2H_2O->2KOH(aq)+H_2(g)+Cl_2(g)#