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I recently came across this question in a book.

Among the metals $\ce{Cr}$, $\ce{Fe}$, $\ce{Mn}$, $\ce{Ti}$, $\ce{Ba}$ and $\ce{Mg}$, the one that cannot be obtained by reduction of its metal oxide by aluminum is:-
(a) $\ce{Cr}$
(b) $\ce{Fe}$
(c) $\ce{Mn}$
(d) $\ce{Ba}$
(e) $\ce{Mg}$

So, one method to answer this question is by Ellingham Diagram and to remember the values of $\Delta G^0$(Gibbs free energy change) for oxidation of each metal into its oxide and it's variation with temperature. enter image description here

So, we can see that $\Delta G^0$ for oxidation of $\ce{Al}$ is much lower than other metals except $\ce{Mg}$ at lower temperatures. Thus, $\ce{Al}$ can reduce other metals except $\ce{Mg}$ at lower temperatures.
Thus, the answer is (e) $\ce{Mg}$.
So, this was the answer based on the experimental data for metals.
Couldn't we determine this answer theoretically as we can't remember all these data?

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  • $\begingroup$ The metal reactivity series is pretty fundamental to remember. The series would be (K,Na,Mg,Al,Zn,Fe,Cu,Ag,Au,Pt) to name a few $\endgroup$
    – Pritt says Reinstate Monica
    Commented Apr 21, 2017 at 15:59
  • $\begingroup$ But, there aren't all the metals in your mentioned reactivity series like Cr, Mn, Ca, Ba, Ti etc. Can you please mention the whole reactivity series. $\endgroup$
    – Prashant Kumar
    Commented Apr 21, 2017 at 16:33
  • $\begingroup$ Wikipedia has an entire page about it: en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reactivity_series $\endgroup$
    – Pritt says Reinstate Monica
    Commented Apr 21, 2017 at 16:35

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Actually, activity series works well in aqueous medium, while these reactions happening at high temperature will leave all waters long gone in vapours.

Well, here we go by (delta)G for the coupled reactions. We know that a negative (delta)G amounts to SPONTANEOUS process.

The 2 reactions which need to be coupled must be such that sum of (delta)G1 for the reaction-1 and (delta)G2 for the reaction-2 is NEGATIVE.

Seeing the curve, we can conclude, Al can reduce all the metals listed except Mg, which of course could be above ~1600 degree celcius.

The conclusion: upto 1600 degrees Mg can reduce Al2O3, while above 1600 degrees Al can reduce MgO [Unlike what happens in aq. medium!]

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  • $\begingroup$ But, my question was that how would you determine it theoretically. $\endgroup$
    – Prashant Kumar
    Commented Apr 22, 2017 at 0:46
  • $\begingroup$ The metal or C or CO curve lower in the Ellingham diagram for a given temperature will reduce the metal oxide above it... Similar to what we see in activity series, albeit, it changes with temperature $\endgroup$
    – Che Mistry
    Commented Apr 22, 2017 at 13:14

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