Question

Why is there a need to add Magnesium salts in Sulfide reduction?

(a) Faster reaction

(b) Prevents formation of harmful substance

(c) Brings equilibrium

(d) Lower down the activation energy

The question was asked in an interview.

Enquiry is from Sulfide Reduction in chapter Amination by Reduction of Unit Processes

Answer 1

Right option is (b) Prevents formation of harmful substance

To explain I would say: Since the presence of free alkali is harmful, sodium sulfide is not used without the addition of magnesium salts, which remove the sodium hydroxide as it is formed by precipitation of magnesium hydroxide.