Question

Shorting of cell in production of tetra ethyl lead (TEL) is prevented by adding __________

(a) Excess Grignard reagent

(b) Excess C2H5Cl

(c) Excess Mg

(d) Excess MgCl2

This question was posed to me by my school principal while I was bunking the class.

Query is from Inorganic Chemical in section Inorganic Chemical Industries of Chemical Technology

Answer 1

Correct option is (b) Excess C2H5Cl

To explain I would say: Eliminated magnesium metal is deposited at cathode bridging the gap between electrodes which leads to shorting of cell. Hence excess C2H5Cl is added as reacts with magnesium forming Grignard reagent.