The crude copper that is subjected to electrorefining contains tellurium as an impurity. The standard reduction potential between tellurium and its lowest common oxidation state, Te⁴⁺, is
Te⁴⁺(aq) + 4 e-→ Te(s) E° = 0.57 V
Given this information, describe the probable fate of tellurium impurities during electrorefining. Do the impurities fall to the bottom of the refining bath, unchanged, as copper is oxidized, or do they go into solution as ions? If they go into solution, do they plate out on the cathode?

Question

The crude copper that is subjected to electrorefining contains tellurium as an impurity. The standard reduction potential between tellurium and its lowest common oxidation state, Te⁴⁺, is

Te⁴⁺(aq) + 4 e-→ Te(s) E° = 0.57 V

Given this information, describe the probable fate of tellurium impurities during electrorefining. Do the impurities fall to the bottom of the refining bath, unchanged, as copper is oxidized, or do they go into solution as ions? If they go into solution, do they plate out on the cathode?

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