Chapter 17, Problem 17.31CP

It has recently been reported that porous pellets of TiO₂ can be reduced to titanium metal at the cathode of an electrochemical cell containing molten CaCl₂ as the electrolyte. When the TiO₂ is reduced, the O^2– ions dissolve in the CaCl₂ and are subsequently oxidized to O₂ gas at the anode. This approach may be the basis for a less expensive process than the one currently used for producing titanium.

1. (a) Label the anode and cathode, and indicate the signs of the electrodes.
2. (b) Indicate the direction of electron and ion flow.
3. (c) Write balanced equations for the anode, cathode, and overall cell reactions.