A blast furnace step reduces iron(III) oxide with carbon monoxide:
Fe₂O₃(s) + 3 CO(g) → 2 Fe(s) + 3 CO₂(g)
Standard Gibbs free energies of formation at 298 K are provided.
Species (state) ΔGf∘ (kJ mol⁻¹)
Fe₂O₃(s) −742.2
Fe(s) 0
CO(g) −137.3
CO₂(g) −394.4
(1) Compute the standard Gibbs free energy change, ΔGrxn∘, for the reduction of iron(III) oxide.
(2) Explain whether the reduction is thermodynamically favorable under standard conditions and discuss the implications for operating temperature if the process is found to be non-spontaneous at 298 K.