Talk:Patio process

Mining Mid‑importance

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Chemical reaction mechanism[edit]

The necessary reduction of Ag⁺ cations into metallic Ag soluble in liquid mercury to form an amalgam first requires a reducing agent to donate its electrons to the Ag⁺ cations. Is Hg itself this reducing agent? And what is the exact role of CuSO₄ in the reduction/amalgamation process of Ag in Hg? Is it acting as a catalyst facilitating the transfer of electrons from Hg to the Ag⁺ ions? Are the Cu²⁺ ions first reduced by Hg into metallic Cu, or Cu⁺ ions, which subsequently could transfer their electrons to Ag⁺ ions? This mechanism has to be elucidated and sourced with reliable references. Please, could you develop the question here and complete the corresponding empty section in the Article page? In advance, thank you very much. Shinkolobwe (talk) 21:15, 21 February 2023 (UTC)[reply]