The Van Arkel method is specifically utilized for the purification of Titanium () and Zirconium (). — Metallurgy and Isolation of Elements Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Ti and Zr cannot be extracted efficiently via pyrometallurgy because they form very stable carbides at high temperatures. Furthermore, they aggressively absorb $O_2$ and $N_2$ from the air, which ruins their mechanical properties (making them brittle). The Van Arkel method (using $I_2$ in an evacuated vessel) perfectly isolates the metal, completely removing all $O_2$ and $N_2$ traces.