Question

Which of the following metals cannot be extracted via hydrometallurgy?

(a) Copper

(b) Zinc

(c) Iron

(d) Gold

The question was asked in an interview for job.

The above asked question is from Oxidation Reduction topic in section General Principles and Processes of Isolation of Elements of Chemistry – Class 12

Answer 1

Right option is (c) Iron

To elaborate: For hydrometallurgy, the ore needs to be able to dissolve in a reagent and the metal should form a soluble complex. Copper, gold and silver ores are more suitable to be obtained via hydrometallurgy and iron is usually obtained via the blast furnace.