SCH 2200 Comparative Study of S and P Block Elements: 2.0 Hydrogen 2.1 Occurrence
SCH 2200 Comparative Study of S and P Block Elements: 2.0 Hydrogen 2.1 Occurrence
SCH 2200 Comparative Study of S and P Block Elements: 2.0 Hydrogen 2.1 Occurrence
2.0 HYDROGEN
2.1 Occurrence
Hydrogen is quite common in combined state. It is a component of most compounds than any other
element e.g. in water, organic compounds, biomolecules. Free hydrogen is less common but it
occurs in volcanic gases and in the outer regions of the sun and in stars where nuclear fusion occurs
(most abundant element in the universe)
It has three isotopes 1H (ordinary hydrogen or protium), 2H(deuterium or heavy hydrogen, D), 3H
(tritium, T). Tritium is radioactive.
3
1𝐻 ⟶ 32𝐻𝑒 + 0
−1𝑒 − 𝛽 𝑑𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑦, 𝑡1⁄ = 12.26 𝑦𝑟𝑠
2
2.2 Preparation
(i) Electrolysis of water. Hydrogen is discharged at the cathode and oxygen at the anode.
2H2O(l) + Electrical energy 2H2(g) + O2(g)
(ii) From natural gas. Natural gas and steam are passed over a nickel catalyst at 900 0C to
produce water gas. The two gases are then separated by fractional distillation.
CH4(g) + H2O(g) CO(g) + 3H2(g) (water gas)
(iii) From coal. By passing steam at 1000 0C over coal, Water gas is produced.
C(s) + H2O(g) CO(g) + H2(g)
In the laboratory it is prepared from;
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(ii) From the reaction of metal hydrides with water. However, metal hydrides are
expensive. These reactions are used in the inflation of life jackets and baloons.
CaH2(s) + 2H2O(l) Ca(OH)2(aq) + 2H2(g)
2.3 Reactions
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(vi) Reaction with group VII elements
React with all halogens to form HX.
H2 + X2 2HX X = F, Cl, Br, I
Reaction with F2 is explosive. Reaction with I2 gives low yield.
2.4 Uses
(i) Used in the hydrogenation of oils fats to produce fats e.g margarine (Haber-Bosch process)
(ii) Used in the preparation of useful organic compounds e.g methanol
CH4 + H2O Ni CO + 3H2
CO + 2H2 ni/CuO CH3OH From natural gas
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