An industrial chemist attempts to extract nickel metal by passing a direct current through solid anhydrous nickel(II) chloride (NiCl2\text{NiCl}_2NiCl2) at room temperature.
Despite applying a high potential difference, no chemical change is observed at either electrode and no nickel metal is deposited.
Explain, in terms of structure and bonding, why electrolysis does not occur under these conditions.
83 exam-style questions on Edexcel GCSE Chemistry 4.2 Electrolytic processes, covering 4.2.1 Electrolytes and the process of electrolysis, 4.2.2 Products of electrolysis using inert electrodes, 4.2.3 Half equations, oxidation and reduction in electrolysis, and 4.2.4 Electrolysis of copper sulfate and purifying copper. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.