K2Cr2O7 - Meaning, Structure, Effects, Properties & Uses, FAQs

K₂Cr₂O₇

It is extremely common to find potassium compounds that are used for a variety of applications. The production of glass has relied for centuries on potash and other potassium compounds. Ninety-five percent of the potassium compounds that are gathered worldwide are used in the manufacture of fertilizers. K₂Cr₂O₇ compound name is potassium dichromate. A compound of inorganic chemistry, potassium dichromate is extremely important for industrial and laboratory applications. The chemical formula for this orange crystalline solid is K₂Cr₂O₇ chemical name. As an oxidizing agent, it is water-soluble. To prepare chrome alum, chrome yellow, and chrome red, it is used to estimate the volume of ferrous salts, iodides, and sulphides.

What is potassium dichromate formula?

A chemical formula of potassium dichromate has the chemical name K₂Cr₂O₇. Potassium bichromate or dipotassium bichromate are other names for this compound. Coloured bright red-orange, it is an ionic crystalline solid. Despite its odour lessness and insoluble properties in alcohol and acetone, it dissolves in water. This chemical is widely used in leather tanning and potassium chrome alum production. Many industries and laboratories use it as an oxidizing agent. The substance is highly corrosive and non-combustible. To prepare sodium dichromate, follow these steps:

• Potassium chloride is made by reacting sodium dichromate with potassium chloride

• Result of roasting chrome ore with potassium hydroxide to yield potassium chromate

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K₂Cr₂O₇ structure:

The two potassium cations form an ionic bond with the negatively charged dichromate anion to form potassium dichromate molecules. A dichromate ion is composed of two chromium atoms bound together with four oxygen atoms. The double bonds between chromium and oxygen both consist of one oxygen atom, and the bond between both chromium atoms is one oxygen atom.

What is Potassium Dichromate Uses?

1. In cement, it slows the setting time as well as improving the density and texture of the mixture.

2. The photographic screen-printing industry uses it.

3. This reagent is a common reagent used in traditional "wet tests" in analytical chemistry.

4. Some types of wood are stained with it for a deep, rich colour.

5. Glassware and etching material made from it are used to clean them.

6. Iron and tungsten are used in pyrotechnic displays.

7. Astringent, antiseptic, and caustic properties make it useful in medicine.

It is known that when dispersed in nitric acid at approximately 35 percent, potassium dichromate forms Schwerte’s solution, an analytical reagent with properties similar to a crystal violet colour. Reagents like this can be used to test for the presence of different metals, especially for silver purity determinations. It is known that pure silver will make the solution bright red, while sterling silver will make the solution dark red.

Moreover, low-quality coin silver causes the solution to turn brown (mainly due to the presence of copper). Moreover, Schwerte’s solution would turn green if 0.500 silver was added to it. This solution does not change colour as it is made with gold and palladium, but brass changes to dark brown colour as it is made with copper. As a result of introducing lead and tin to nitric acid containing potassium dichromate in 35% (approx.) concentration, yellow solutions result.

Related Topics,

• Bleaching powder and sodium hydroxide
• Introduction to P Block Elements
• Borax Formula
• Amphoteric oxides

The properties of potassium dichromate - K₂Cr₂O₇

Potassium dichromate has many other properties that are listed below.

1. This compound cannot be dissolved by alcohol or acetone.

2. There are 219 joules of heat per mole in K₂Cr₂O₇.

3. There are 291.2 joules per kelvin mole in this compound's standard molar entropy.

Also Read:

• NCERT solutions for Class 12 Chemistry Chapter 7 The P-block elements
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Health effects

• Traditionally, potassium dichromate is mostly harmful to the respiratory tract, causing ulcers. An increased risk of lung cancer is associated with K₂Cr₂O₇, a known human carcinogen.

• An individual's health can be seriously harmed or even killed by accidentally eating the substance; animal experiments show that even ingesting fewer than 40 grams of the substance can have toxic effects.

• A chemical burn can occur in the mouth and gastrointestinal tract following ingestion.

• It is rare to become acutely poisoned by potassium after swallowing because vomiting usually occurs and renal excretion is rapid.

• In the long run, potassium causes irregular heartbeats, heart block, and blood pressure drop.

• It may be harmful to touch the material; after absorption, systemic effects might occur.

Also check-

• NCERT Exemplar Class 11th Chemistry Solutions
• NCERT Exemplar Class 12th Chemistry Solutions
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NCERT Chemistry Notes:

• NCERT Notes Class 11th Chemistry
• NCERT Notes Class 12th Chemistry
• NCERT Notes For All Subjects