Perfect 👍 — next in **periodic table order** is **Tin (Sn, atomic number 50).**
Tin is a **post-transition metal** that occurs naturally in **cassiterite (SnO₂)**, its primary ore. Industrial extraction involves **concentration, roasting, and reduction** to produce metallic tin.
Here are the **20 most common methods of extracting Tin**:
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# **20 Most Common Methods of Extracting Tin**
### **A. Extraction from Tin Ores**
1. **Gravity Concentration of Cassiterite (SnO₂)** – Separates dense tin minerals from gangue.
2. **Flotation of Tin Ores** – For fine-grained ores to concentrate SnO₂.
3. **Roasting of Tin Sulfide Ores (if present)** – Converts SnS₂ → SnO₂ + SO₂.
4. **Leaching of SnO₂ with Acid (HCl or H₂SO₄)** – Produces soluble tin salts.
5. **Conversion of SnO₂ to Stannous Chloride (SnCl₂)** – Intermediate for reduction.
6. **Purification via Precipitation or Solvent Extraction** – Removes impurities such as iron, tungsten.
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### **B. Reduction to Metallic Tin**
7. **Reduction of SnO₂ with Carbon (Carbothermic Reduction)** – SnO₂ + C → Sn + CO/CO₂; main industrial method.
8. **Reduction of SnCl₂ with Zinc or Aluminum** – Laboratory or specialty method.
9. **Electrolytic Reduction of Tin Salts** – Produces high-purity metallic tin.
10. **Magnesiothermic Reduction of SnO₂** – Experimental or lab-scale method.
11. **Hydrogen Reduction of SnO₂ → Sn + H₂O** – Laboratory-scale method.
12. **Vacuum Distillation of Tin Metal** – Purification for high-purity tin.
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### **C. Recovery from Byproducts / Secondary Sources**
13. **Recovery from Tin-Containing Slags** – Hydrometallurgical extraction.
14. **Recovery from Copper and Lead Refinery Residues** – Tin as minor byproduct.
15. **Recovery from Recycled Tin Alloys / Electronics** – Melting and separation.
16. **Recovery from Solder Scrap** – Chemical dissolution or melting.
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### **D. Laboratory / Experimental Methods**
17. **Plasma Reduction of SnO₂ or Sn Chlorides** – High-purity experimental method.
18. **Solar-Thermal Reduction of SnO₂ or Sn Chlorides** – Experimental renewable energy method.
19. **Zone Refining of Metallic Tin** – Produces ultra-high purity Sn.
20. **Electroless Deposition of Tin from Salts** – Produces thin metallic coatings.
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✅ **Summary:**
* **Main industrial sources:** Cassiterite (SnO₂).
* **Primary extraction steps:** Ore concentration → roasting (if sulfide) → acid leaching → reduction → metallic tin.
* **Metallic tin:** Produced mainly via carbothermic reduction; also hydrogen, metallothermic, or electrolytic methods.
* **Byproduct sources:** Copper/lead refinery residues, slags, recycled alloys, solder scrap.
* **Laboratory/experimental:** Plasma, solar-thermal, zone refining, electroless deposition.
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Next in periodic order is \*\*Antimony (Sb, atomic number 51).
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