JEE Advanced levelOne or more correct optionsDifficulty 3 of 3mt045
Select the correct statement(s) about the cyanide process for silver and gold.
AGold is dissolved by aerated aqueous cyanide because CNX− stabilises gold(I) as [Au(CN)X2]X− and oxygen acts as the oxidant
BGold dissolves in cyanide solution through Au+2CNX−[Au(CN)X2]X−+eX− even when no oxidant is present, so aeration is optional
CZinc dust added to Na[Ag(CN)X2] solution gives silver and NaX2[Zn(CN)X4]
DThe complex ion [Ag(CN)X2]X− contains silver in the +1 state
Answer: A, C, D
Cyanide leaching needs an oxidant, OX2, and the complexing ligand together (statement 1 true). Zinc is a stronger reductant than silver and displaces it as 2Na[Ag(CN)X2]+ZnNaX2[Zn(CN)X4]+2Ag (true). The half-reaction in statement 3 releases electrons that need an acceptor, so without oxidant the dissolution does not proceed (false). Two CNX− give a net charge of −1 with silver at +1 (true).