Electrolysis of concentrated aqueous copper chloride:

When we have a concentrated solution, things become a little bit different due to the
effects of concentration on the anions.Let me explain this with the help of an example.

Normally, we would say that since the ease of discharge of hydroxide ions is more than
bromide ions therefore, hydroxide ions will move towards the anode.

However, if we have concentrated aqueous potassium bromide, the bromide ions

will move towards the anode instead of hydroxide ions because of their (greater)
concentration.

Note that concentration has no effect on the positive ions (cations).

In the example of concentrated aqueous copper chloride (CuCl2), we have copper ions
(Cu2+), chloride ions (Cl-), hydrogen ions (H+) and hydroxide ions (OH-).

In this case, the copper ions will move towards the cathode because they have greater
ease of discharge. Thus, copper metal will be deposited at the negative electrode.

However, chloride ions will move towards the anode (instead of hydroxide ions)
because they are greater in concentration. As a result, chlorine gas will be evolved at
the anode.
Question: What happens when concentrated aqueous potassium iodide is
electrolysed?

When it comes to the cations, a hydrogen ion will move towards the cathode to form
hydrogen gas by gaining electrons (reduction).

However, iodide ions are greater in number than hydroxide ions (even though the ease
of discharge of hydroxide ions is greater). As a result, iodide ions will move towards the
anode to be oxidised

This explains that the violet colour at the anode is due to iodine. This takes us to
another very important topic which is about the uses of this method.