Question

In the cyanide extraction process of silver, the oxidising and reducing agents used are:

• A. O$_2$ and CO respectively
• B. O$_2$ and Zn dust respectively
• C. H$_2$O and Zn dust respectively
• D. H$_2$O and NaCN respectively

Hint:

In the cyanide extraction process, oxygen is used to oxidize silver into a soluble complex, and zinc dust is used to reduce it back to its metallic form.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

In the cyanide extraction process of silver, silver ore is treated with sodium cyanide solution in the presence of oxygen, which oxidizes the silver to form soluble complexes. The reducing agent used in this process is zinc dust (Zn), which reduces the silver complex back to metallic silver. The process is commonly known as the MacArthur-Forrest process.
Thus, the correct oxidizing and reducing agents are O$_2$ and Zn dust, respectively.