What is the isolation process of selenium? A simple explanation for the lay-person would be helpful.
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Anonymous
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Not much of a lay person if you're trying to isolate selenium :-) Here is a brief summary of the isolation of selenium. It is not usually necessary to make selenium in the laboratory as it is commercially available. While there are several selenium ores, most selenium is made as a byproduct of copper refining. It also accumulates in the residues from sulphuric acid manufacture. Extraction is complex since the method emplyed will depend upon what other compounds or elements are present. The first step usually involves an oxidation in the presence of sodium carbonate (soda ash). Cu2Se + Na2CO3 + 2O2 2CuO + Na2SeO3 + CO2 The selenite Na2SeO3 is acidified with sulphuric acid. Any tellurites precipitateout leaving selenous acid, H2SeO3, in solution. Selenium is liberated from selenous acid by SO2 H2SeO3 + 2SO2 + H2O Se + 2H2SO4 Reference Link: http://www.webelements.com/webelements/elements/text/Se/key.html
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