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Transition Metals

Vanadium(V) Oxide and the Contact Process

  • 3 things to know
  • Papers 1 and 3

Overview

The two steps by which V₂O₅ catalyses sulfur trioxide formation.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started
Process

In the Contact process, what type of catalyst is vanadium(V) oxide (V₂O₅)?

Process

Which industrial process uses vanadium(V) oxide as a catalyst to manufacture sulfuric acid?

Key term

Write the equation for the first catalytic step, in which vanadium(V) oxide oxidises sulfur dioxide.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    In the Contact process, what type of catalyst is vanadium(V) oxide (V₂O₅)?

    Model answer

    A heterogeneous catalyst (it is a solid catalysing a reaction of gases).

  2. 2

    Which industrial process uses vanadium(V) oxide as a catalyst to manufacture sulfuric acid?

    Model answer

    The Contact process.

  3. 3

    Write the overall equation for the reversible reaction catalysed by vanadium(V) oxide in the Contact process.

    Model answer

    2SO₂ + O₂ ⇌ 2SO₃ (equivalently SO₂ + ½O₂ ⇌ SO₃).

  4. 4

    Why is vanadium(V) oxide described as a heterogeneous catalyst in the Contact process?

    Model answer

    It is a solid in a different phase from the gaseous reactants (SO₂ and O₂), and the reaction occurs at active sites on its surface.

  5. 5

    Write the equation for the first catalytic step, in which vanadium(V) oxide oxidises sulfur dioxide.

    Model answer

    V₂O₅ + SO₂ → V₂O₄ + SO₃.

  6. 6

    Write the equation for the second catalytic step, in which the catalyst is regenerated.

    Model answer

    V₂O₄ + ½O₂ → V₂O₅ (equivalently 2V₂O₄ + O₂ → 2V₂O₅).

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