Net Equation for a Sequence of Reactions

Question

The extraction of aluminum metal from the aluminum hydroxide in bauxite ore by the Hall-Héroult process is one of the most remarkable success stories of late 19th century practical chemistry, turning aluminum from a rare and precious metal into the cheap commodity it is today. In the first step, aluminum hydroxide reacts to form alumina and water:

2Al(OH)3 (s) --> Al2O3(s) +3H2O (g)

In the second step, alumina and carbon react to form aluminum and carbon dioxide:

2Al2O3(s)+3C(s) --> 4Al(s)+3CO2(g)

Write the net chemical equation for the production of aluminum from aluminum hydroxide and carbon. Be sure your equation is balanced.

Answer 1

The net equation would be ...

2Al(OH)₃(s) + Al₂O₃(s) + 3C(s) ==> 4Al(s) + 3CO₂(g) + 3H₂O(g)

This can be viewed as an oxidation-reduction reaction where Al is reduced and C is oxidized.

Al₂O₃(s) is an intermediate