2You meant "the other FSE"...
So let me see:
Mercury reduces aluminum
Aluminum reduces MP2P/P2P/whatever
this right?
So Hg02 or something is formed, I guess.
Would it be possible to make an electrochemical cell to electrically reduce the aluminum, avoiding the need for mercury?
Can another metal be substituted for mercury, stealing oxygen from the aluminum, like the anticorrosion sacrificial anode described in the link you gave me?
In a sodium cell, does the mercury serve the same function, or is it needed? If the mercury can be reused, or is unnecesary, I can imagine this to be verrry useful.
Is mercury soluble in NH3? If not, could a sodium amalgam be made by electrolysis of NaOH, then dropped in a birch cell, then the undissolved mercury picked out afterwards to be reused?
The reference you pointed me to says that electrolysis of NaCl gives very little hydrogen production. I assume this means it only liberates chlorine. I see a good use for this in generating chlorine for bubblers.
Thanks for taking the time to answer the silly questions of a dreamy bee...