(i) The extraction of metals from their oxides can be carried out by using different reducing agents.
(ii) Consider the following reaction
\(\frac{2}{\mathrm{y}} \mathrm{M}_{\mathrm{x}} \mathrm{O}_{\mathrm{y}(\mathrm{s})} \rightarrow \frac{2 \mathrm{x}}{\mathrm{y}} \mathrm{M}_{(s)}+\mathrm{O}_{ 2(\mathrm{~g})}\)            (1)
(iii) The above reduction may be carried out with carbon. In this case the reducing agent carbon may be oxidized to either CO or CO₂
\(\mathrm{C}+\mathrm{O}_{2} \rightarrow \mathrm{CO}_{2(\mathrm{~g})}  \)                  (2)
\(2 \mathrm{C}+\mathrm{O}_{2} \rightarrow 2 \mathrm{CO}_{(\mathrm{g})} \)                (3)
(iv) If CO is used as a reducing agent
\(2 \mathrm{CO}+\mathrm{O}_{2} \rightarrow 2 \mathrm{CO}_{2(\mathrm{~g})}\)           (4)
(v) A suitable reducing agent is selected based on the thermodynamics considerations.
(vi) We know that for a spontaneous reaction, the change in free energy (\(\triangle\)G) should be negative.
(vii) Therefore, thermodynamically, the reduction of metal oxide with a given reducing agent can occur if the free energy change for the coupled reaction is negative.
(viii) Hence, the reducing agent is selected in such a way that it provides a large negative \(\triangle\)G value for the coupled reaction.

In this method, the metal is treated with a suitable reagent which can form a volatile compound with the metal.
Then the volatile compound is decomposed to give the pure metal.

1. This process is called as Hall-Heroult process.
Cathode: In this method, electrolysis is carried out in an iron tank lined with carbon which acts as the cathode.
Anode: The carbon blocks immersed in the electrolyte acts as a anode.
Eletrolyte: A 20% solution of alumina, obtained from the bauxite ore is mixed with molten Cryolite and is taken in the electrolysis chamber.
2. About 10% calcium chloride is also added to the solution.
3. Here Calcium chloride helps to lower the melting point of the mixture.
Temperature: The fused mixture is maintained at a temperature of above 1270 K.
4. The chemical reactions involved in this process as follows
(a) Ionisaiton of alumina: \({ A }l_{ 2 }{ O }_{ 3 }\longrightarrow { 2Al }^{ 3+ }+{ 3O }^{ 2- }\)
(b) Reaction at cathode: \(2{ Al }^{ 3+ }_{(melt)}+{ 6e }^{ - }\longrightarrow { Al }_{ (l) }\)
(c) Reaction at anode: \(6{ O }^{2-}_{(melt)}\longrightarrow { 3O }_{ 2 }+{ 12e }^{ - }\)
5. Since carbon acts as anode the following reaction also takes place
(a) \({ C }_{ (s) }+{ O }^{ 2- }_{(melt)}\longrightarrow CO+{ 2e }^{ - }\)
(b) \({ C }_{ (s) }+{ 2O }^{ 2- }_{(melt)}\longrightarrow { CO }_{ 2 }+{ 4e }^{ - }\)
6. Due to the above two reactions, anodes are slowly consumed during the electrolysis.
7. The pure aluminium is formed at the cathode. The net electrolysis reaction can be written as
\({ 4Al }^{ 3+ }_{(melt)}+{ 6O }^{ 2- }_{(melt)}+{ 3C }_{ (s) }\longrightarrow { 4Al }_{ (l) }+{ 3CO }_{ 2(g) }\)

In this extraction, a basic flux, quick lime (CaO) is used, since the silica gangue present in the ore is acidic in nature. The quick lime combines with it to form calcium silicate (slag).
CaO_(s) + Sio_2(s) ⟶ CaSio_3(s)
Flux       Gangue    Slag

(i) Concentration of the ore
(ii) Extraction of crude metal
(iii) Refining of crude metal