Chromic Acid: Properties, Formula & Uses

Arpita Srivastava logo

Arpita Srivastava

Content Writer

Chromic acid is a naturally occurring oxide with the chemical formula H2CrO4. It is a strong acid that is both toxic and corrosive in nature and can explode on contact with organic materials.

  • Chromic acid is a mixture of concentrated sulfuric acid (H2SO4) to a dichromate (K2Cr2O7).
  • The compound may include a number of chemicals, including solid chromium trioxide.
  • It consists of the dissociation of hydrogen ions that stay in the solution. 
  • The compound contains chromium in the +6 oxidation state (or VI).
  • Chromic acid is also known as Tetraoxochromic acid or Chromic(VI) acid. 
  • It can be used as a glass cleaning solution.
  • The compound is used to oxidise a wide range of organic compounds, including alcohols.

Key Terms: Chromic Acid, Chromium Trioxide, Hydrogen, Sulphuric acid, Dichromate, Ions, Solution, Anhydride, Chromium Trioxide, Molecular Chromic Acid, Dichromic Acid, Potassium Dichromate


What is Chromic Acid?

[Click Here for Sample Questions]

Chromic acid is the common name for Dihydroxidodioxidochromium. The acidic anhydride of chromic acid is chromium trioxide CrO3. This is a dark-purple solid that becomes orange when wet and dissolves in water simultaneously with hydrolysis.

  • It also refers to the molecular species H2CrO4, of which the trioxide is the anhydride.
  • Molecular chromic acid, in principle, resembles the properties of sulfuric acid.
  • It is used to tarnish materials made of wood.
  • When the reverse reaction occurs, then molecular chromic acid gets dehydrated.
Chromic Acid 

Chromic Acid 

Also Read:


Types of Chromic Acid

[Click Here for Sample Questions]

Different forms of Chromic Acid are as follows:

Molecular Chromic Acid

H2CrO4 (molecular chromic acid) and H2SO4 (sulfuric acid) have a lot in common. Only sulfuric acid may be included in the list of seven strong acids. The first proton is lost the most quickly due to the principles governing the idea of "first-order ionization energy."

  • It works in a similar way to sulfuric acid deprotonation.
  • Protons can only exit an acid one at a time because polyvalent acid-base titrations have more than one proton.
  • It is particularly seen when the acid is the starting drug, and the base is the titrant.

Dichromic Acid

The completely protonated form of the dichromate ion, H2Cr4O7, may also be seen as the result of adding chromium trioxide (CrO3) to molecular chromic acid.

  • When dichromic acid reacts with primary or secondary alcohol, it behaves in the same way.
  • The exception to this statement is that secondary alcohol will only be oxidized to a ketone.


Structure of Chromic Acid

[Click Here for Sample Questions]

The molecular formula of chromic acid is H2CrO4. The IUPAC name of the compound is Chromic acid.The structure of chromic acid includes a water molecule losing a hydrogen atom while it is in a watery state.

  • The hydrogen ion then forms the hydronium ion, H3O+1, by bonding with a water molecule. 
  • Chromic acid's structure begins with four oxygen atoms linked to chromium.
  • It is a conjugate acid with an oxidation state of +6.
  • The compound has a valency of +6.
  • Higher chromic acids have the formula H2CrnO(3n+1)

 Chromic acid


Properties of Chromic Acid

[Click Here for Sample Questions]

The properties of chromic acid is divided into physical and chemical properties which are as follows:

Physical Properties of Chromic Acid

The physical properties of chromic acid are as follows:

  • Chromic acid is a dark red crystal which has an acidity range of - 0.8 to 1.6.
  • The density of the compound is 1.201 g/cm3.
  • The compound has a melting and boiling point of 197 °C and 250 °C, respectively.
  • Chromic acid is soluble in water with a solubility equal to 169 g/100 mL.
  • It has a conjugate base of chromate and dichromate.

The following table represents the physical properties of Chromic Acid.

Compound Data
Chromic acid H2CrO4
Molecular Weight  118.008 g/mol
Density  1.201 g/cm3
Melting Point  197 °C
Boiling Point  250 °C
Appearance  Dark Red Crystals
Solubility in Water 169 g/100 mL
Acidity - 0.8 to 1.6
Conjugate Base Chromate and dichromate

Chemical Properties of Chromic Acid

The chemical properties of chromic acid are as follows:

Jones Reagent

Chromic acid is an aqueous solution of acetone and sulphuric acid, which will oxidize primary and secondary alcohols to carboxylic acids and ketones, respectively.

Collins Reagent

Collins Reagent will involve the adduction of chromium trioxide and pyridine to form dichloromethane.

It is an important chemical property of chromic acid.

Reaction with Hydrochloric Acid

In this process, chromic acid will react with hydrochloric acid to form Chromyl chloride.


Preparation of Chromic Acid

[Click Here for Sample Questions]

Preparation of chromic acid is formed by the following process:

  • A typical glassware cleaning reagent is chromatic acid.
  • In a one-litre container, dissolve 60 grams of potassium dichromate in roughly 150 mL of warm distilled water.
  • Gently add strong sulfuric acid to get a one-litre chromic acid solution.
  • When chromic trioxide is mixed with water, molecular acid is formed, which goes by the reaction:

CrO3 + H2O → H2CrO4

  • When molecular acid is dehydrated, however, the process is reversed.
  • When concentrated vitriol is introduced to a dichromate solution, this is frequently the result.
  • The colour shifts from orange to red at first (chromic acid).
  • The mixture then precipitates crimson chromium trioxide crystals with no additional colour change.
  • LMCT transitions are responsible for the colours.
  • The anhydride of molecular acid is chromium trioxide.
  • It's a Lewis acid with the potential to react with a Lewis base.
  • In a non-aqueous media, pyridine reacts. 
Chromic Acid 

Chromic Acid 


Uses of Chromic Acid

[Click Here for Sample Questions]

There are lots of uses for Chromic Acid, which are as follows:

  • Chromic acid is a chromium-plating intermediary that's also utilised in ceramic glazes and coloured glass. 
  • Due to its capacity to "brighten", raw brass was frequently used in the musical instrument repair industry.
  • A solution of chromic acid in sulfuric acid (also known as a sulfochromic mixture or chromosulfuric acid) can be used to clean laboratory glassware, especially of otherwise intractable organic residues.
  • After being dipped in the acid, the brass takes on a vivid yellow patina. 
  • Another uses of chromic acid include its usage for hair colouring in 1940.
  • It is used in black-and-white photography for reversal processing.


Health Hazards

[Click Here for Sample Questions]

There are lots of health hazard of chromic acid which are as follows:

Acute Health Effects

The following acute (short-term) health consequences may develop immediately or soon after chromic acid exposure:

  • Chromic acid contact can irritate & burn the skin as well as eyes, perhaps causing the eye injury.
  • Acid Chromic Coughing, wheezing, and/or shortness of breath can occur when the nose, throat, and lungs are irritated by breathing.

Chronic Health Effects

The following chronic (long-term) health problems can emerge after chromic acid exposure and can linger for months or years:

  • Cancer Hazard: Many experts feel there is no such thing as a safe level of carcinogen exposure.
  • Reproductive Hazard: The growing foetus may be harmed by chromic acid.

Other Long-Term Effects

The other long-term effects of acid are as follows:

  • Chromic acid can create a sore and/or hole in the "bone" that divides the inner nose, as well as bleeding, discharge, and crust development.
  • A skin allergy to chromic acid is possible.
  • If you acquire an allergy, even minor future exposure might produce itching and a rash.
  • High levels of exposure can harm the liver.
Health Hazards of Chromic Acid 

Health Hazards of Chromic Acid 


Things to Remember

  • Chromic acid is used in the instrument repair business because of its ability to brighten raw brass.
  • Chromium trioxide, chromates, and chlorochromate are all poisonous and carcinogenic hexavalent chromium compounds.
  • It may oxidise a wide range of organic molecules, and several variations have been developed for it.
  • Pyridinium chlorochromate is made from chromium trioxide and pyridinium chloride.
  • H2CrO4 is the molecular acid formula for chromic acid.

Also Read:


Sample Questions

Ques. Explain Jones’s reagent and its reaction with reference to acid? (3 marks)

Ans. A solution of chromium trioxide in aqueous sulfuric acid is known as the Jones reagent. This acidic combination is then added to an acetone solution of the substrate to accomplish a Jones oxidation. In lieu of chromium trioxide, potassium dichromate can be used instead. Due to the Jones reagent, it is found in aqueous vitriol & acetone. It’ll oxidize primary and secondary alcohols to carboxylic acids and ketones respectively, while rarely affecting unsaturated bonds.

2HCrO4 + 3RR’C(OH)H + 8H+ + 4H2O → 2[Cr(H2O)6]3+ + 3RR’CO.

Ques. Tell the generation of Pyridinium chlorochromate and write a reaction? (3 marks)

Ans. Chromium trioxide and pyridinium chloride are used to make it. Primary alcohols are converted to their corresponding aldehydes (R–CHO) using this reagent. CrO2Cl2 (chromyl chloride) is a well-defined molecular molecule produced by acid.

C5H5N + HCl + CrO3 → [C5H5NH][CrO3Cl]

During the preparation of the aforementioned solution, chromyl chloride (CrO2Cl2) fume is produced. Minimization also assists in changing the sequence of addition. Under stirring, a cold pyridine in acid solution was added to solid chromium trioxide.

Ques. How can chromic acid be prepared? (3 marks)

Ans. A typical glassware cleaning reagent is chromatic acid. In a one-litre container, dissolve 60 grammes of potassium dichromate in roughly 150 mL of warm distilled water, then gently add strong sulfuric acid to get a one-litre Chromic Acid solution. First, sodium dichromate (Na2Cr2O7), or potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7), must be combined with a little water (H2O) to produce a paste. While applying sulphuric acid to the paste and continuously mixing, chromic acid is formed.

Ques. What neutralizes chromic acid? (2 marks)

Ans. Chromic acid should be diluted in a large amount of water before use. It can be neutralised using a reducing agent after dilution. Excellent neutralising agents include sodium/potassium metabisulfite, sodium thiosulfate, and sodium sulfite.

Ques. What is the composition of chromic acid? (2 marks)

Ans. H2CrO4 is the formula for chromic acid, a naturally occurring oxide. Tetraoxochromic acid or Chromic(VI) acid are other names for chromic acid. It's commonly manufactured by mixing concentrated sulphuric acid (H2SO4) with a dichromate that includes a range of chemicals and solid chromium trioxide.

Ques. What is a chromic acid mixture? (2 marks)

Ans. A mixture formed by adding concentrated sulfuric acid to a dichromate, which may include a number of chemicals, including solid chromium trioxide, is known as chromic acid. This kind of chromic acid can be used as a glass cleaning solution.

Ques. How do you make chromic acid from chromium trioxide? (2 marks)

Ans. When chromium trioxide combines with water, chromic acid is generated. Chromium trioxide is a crystalline substance with a light red or brown colour that is deliquescent and water-soluble. Chromic acid is a fairly weak acid, and even acetic acid can dissociate its salts.

Ques. Is chromic acid harmful? (3 marks)

Ans. Yes, it is harmful for the following situation.

  • Chromic acid has been linked to reproductive issues. 
  • It is a corrosive chemical that can irritate and burn the skin and eyes, resulting in potential eye injury. 
  • Coughing, wheezing, and/or shortness of breath can result from breathing chromic acid, which irritates the nose, throat, and lungs.

Ques. Write reactions to formed chromic acid? (4 marks)

Ans. The reaction of chromium (III) oxide with water.

CrO3 + H2O → H2CrO4

The reaction of potassium or sodium dichromate with sulfuric acid.

The reaction of potassium or sodium dichromate with sulfuric acid.

Ques. Explain oxidation of alcohol using chromic acid? (4 marks)

Ans. Chromic acid is a powerful oxidizer that can oxidise a wide range of organic molecules, the most frequent of which are alcohols. There are two generalisations that can help you comprehend how chromic acid oxidises alcohols.

  • Chronic acid oxidises any alcohol with at least one alpha hydrogen; hence, tertiary alcohols are not oxidised by chromic acid.
  • Chromic acid oxidises any organic product whose molecule contains at least one hydrogen atom linked to the carbonyl carbon.

The organic product of chromic acid oxidation of a primary alcohol is a carboxylic acid.

The organic product of chromic acid oxidation of a primary alcohol is a carboxylic acid.

The organic product of chromic acid oxidation of secondary alcohol is a ketone.

The organic product of chromic acid oxidation of secondary alcohol is a ketone.

Ques. How collins reagent is used in the chromic acid? (2 marks)

Ans. Collins reagent is a chromium trioxide-pyridine adduct used for various oxidations. In aqueous solutions, it (H2CrO4) oxidises alcohols. It forms a chromic ester when it interacts with alcohol. The alcohol oxygen atom links the carbon and chromium atoms during this process.

Ques. What is the process for preparation of chromic acid in laboratory? (2 marks)

Ans. A typical glassware cleaning reagent is chromatic acid. In a one-litre container, dissolve 60 grams of potassium dichromate in roughly 150 mL of warm distilled water, then gently add strong sulfuric acid to get a one-litre Chromic Acid solution. When chromic trioxide is mixed with water, molecular acid is formed.

Ques. What are the uses of chromic acid? (3 marks)

Ans. The uses of chromic acid are as follows:

  • Chromic acid can be utilized as an intermediary in the plating process when plating with chromium.
  • Glasses are created with chromic acid added as an ingredient, especially colored and ceramic glass.
  • Chlorosulfonic acid and sulfochromic acid together provide an efficient oxidizing agent for cleaning glass in lab settings.
  • Chromic acid is a helpful substance that is used in the tool repair industry to polish raw metal.
  • It was added to hair colors starting around 1940.

Ques. How chromic acid can oxidise organic compounds? (3 marks)

Ans. Since chromatic acid may oxidize a wide range of organic molecules, numerous variations of this reagent have been developed. In aqueous sulfuric acid and acetone, chromatic acid is known as the Jones reagent. It oxidizes primary and secondary alcohols into carboxylic acids and ketones, respectively, with little effect on unsaturated bonds. Chromic acid is the source of cromyl chloride, which is used in inorganic chemistry to determine whether chloride ions are present.

Ques. (A) Is CrO3 a chromic acid?
(B) Is chromic acid a strong oxidizing agent? (2 marks)

Ans. (A) CrO3, also known as chromium trioxide, is an inorganic compound that is considered the acidic anhydride of chromic acid, which is why it is sometimes called chromic acid. It is a dark-purple solid formed under anhydrous conditions.

(B) Chromic acid has an oxidation state of +6 with a valency of VI. It is also known as tetraoxochromic acid, which is a strong and corrosive oxidizing agent and a moderate carcinogen.

Ques. Answer (A) What is the pH of chromic acid?
(B) Is chromic acid a weak acid? (2 marks)

Ans. (A) Chromic acid is a naturally occuring compound with a pH of 3.03. It is a dark-purple solid that resembles the properties of sulfuric acid.

(B) Chromic acid is a type of strong acid, as the hydrogen atoms present in the solution become completely dissociated. The compound is formed by a mixture of concentrated sulphuric acid and dichromate. 

Ques. Explain: (A) Is chromic acid a reagent?
(B) Why is CrO3 Coloured?​ (2 marks)

Ans. (A) Chromic acid is a strong reagent that is used for oxidising alcohols to ketones and carboxylic acids. The acid is so stable that it can be sold commercially.

(B) CrO3 is coloured because of the transfer of charge from the atom, even though the chromium compound does not have any electrons in the d-orbital. The compound exists in two forms: dark purple solid in anhydrous solid and orange in the wet form.

Ques. How do you reduce chromic acid? (2 marks)

Ans. Using sodium thiosulfate in an acidic (sulfuric) environment, the chromic acid waste volume reduction and disposal method first converts chromium (VI) to non-oxidizing and stable chromium (III) or Cr (III) compound. Sodium thiosulfate is used to further neutralize the decreased Cr (III) solution.

Ques. What is the alternative to chromic acid? (2 marks)

Ans. Sulfuric acid anodizing is an effective substitute for chromic acid anodizing. It is considered a substitute because anodizing with sulfuric acid is safer. Hexavalent chromium is not used in the process, nor is it produced as a byproduct.

Ques. What is chromic acid oxidation? (2 marks)

Ans. Alcohols in sodium dichromate aqueous solutions are oxidized by chromatic acid (H2CrO4). When it combines with alcohols, an alcohol oxygen atom connects the atoms of chromium and carbon to generate a chromic ester.

Ques. What is a safer alternative to chromic acid? (2 marks)

Ans. The only sources of exposure are the chromate sealers and the chromic acid anodizing procedure. Optional Features, Utilization, Situation. Other acids like boric and sulfuric acids are the main substitutes. There are commercially available alternatives, and some have even been approved and put into practice.

For Latest Updates on Upcoming Board Exams, Click Here: https://t.me/class_10_12_board_updates


Check-Out: 

Comments


No Comments To Show