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

Options

A. `2CI^(Θ)rarr CI_(2)+2e^(Θ)`
B. `4overset(Θ)OH rarr 2H_(2)O+O_(2)+4e^(Θ)`
C. `Na^(o+)+e^(Θ)rarr Na`
D. `NaOH rarr Na^(o+)+overset(Θ)OH`

Answer

To determine the reaction occurring at the anode in the Down's process for the extraction of sodium, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding the Down's Process**:
- The Down's process is an electrolysis method used for extracting sodium from molten sodium chloride (NaCl).

2. **Identifying the Electrodes**:
- In electrolysis, there are two electrodes: the anode (positive electrode) and the cathode (negative electrode). The anode attracts negative ions.

3. **Analyzing the Anode Reaction**:
- At the anode, negative ions (anions) migrate towards it. In the case of the Down's process, the relevant anion is chloride (Cl⁻).

4. **Oxidation Reaction**:
- At the anode, the chloride ions (Cl⁻) lose electrons (are oxidized) to form chlorine gas (Cl₂). The half-reaction can be written as:
\[ 2 \text{Cl}^- \rightarrow \text{Cl}_2 + 2 \text{e}^- \]
- This indicates that two chloride ions lose two electrons to form one molecule of chlorine gas.

5. **Conclusion**:
- Therefore, the reaction occurring at the anode in the Down's process is the oxidation of chloride ions to chlorine gas.

### Final Answer:
The reaction occurring at the anode in the Down's process for the extraction of sodium is:
\[ 2 \text{Cl}^- \rightarrow \text{Cl}_2 + 2 \text{e}^- \]