What is the reaction occuring at the anode in Down's process for the extraction of sodium ?

Options

A. `4OH^(-)rarr2H_(O)+O_(2)+4e^(-)`
B. `Na^(+)+e^(-)rarrNa`
C. `2Cl^(-)rarrCl_(2)+2e^(-)`
D. `NaOHrarrNa^(+)+OH^(-)`

Answer

C

Explanation

Now-a-days, Na metal is extracted by Down's process. It involves the electrolysis of fused sodium chloride containing `CaCl_(2)` and KF using Fe as cathode and graphite as anode at about `600^(@)`C, the melting point of the mixture:
At anode
`2Cl^(-)-2e^(-)rarrCl_(2)`
At cathode
`2Na^(+)+2e^(-)rarr2Na`