Electrolysis of Sulphuric acid

In the electrolysis of sulphuric acid,
Why is OH- oxidised at the anode and not H2O ?
Can someone tell me about their reduction potentials?

3 Answers

11
Khyati ·

http://www.jesuitnola.org/upload/clark/refs/red_pot.htm

1
swordfish ·

Thanks :)

1
unicorn ·

itz basically acc 2 prefrential discharge theory.........according to this theory “If more than one type of ion is attracted towards a particular electrode, then the ion is discharged one which requires least energy or ions with lower discharge potential or which occur low in the electrochemical series".

For cations : Li+, K+, Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Al3+, Zn2+, Fe2+, Ni2+, H+, Cu2+, Hg2+, Ag2+, Au3+

For anions : SO42–, NO3–, OH–, Cl–, Br–, I–.

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