Chromic Acid

Chromic acid is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula H2CrO4 and is a compound compound. Tetraoxo Chromic acid, also known as Chromic(VI) acid, is another name for chromic acid. This article discusses the structure, preparation, properties, and various applications of chromic acid. Chromic acid has a +6 (or VI) chromium oxidation state, which is also known as the hexavalent chromium oxidation state. Chromium can exist in a number of different oxidation states, with +6 being the most extreme.

Chromic Acid

It is used to oxidise a wide range of organic compounds, the most common of which are alcohols. Chromic acid is a powerful oxidising agent that is effective against a wide range of organic compounds. Using chromic acid as an oxidant, there are two basic principles that can be applied to any alcohol.

The oxidation of any alcohol containing approximately one alpha hydrogen occurs in the presence of chromic acid, which means that tertiary alcohols do not undergo oxidation in the presence of the acid.

The oxidation of any organic product formed, whose molecule contains at least one hydrogen atom bound to the carbonyl carbon, is further enhanced by chromic acid. 

Formula of Chromic acid

The formula of chromic acid is H2CrO4

Properties of Chromic acid (H2CrO4) 

Uses of Chromic acid

Following are some applications for chromic acid.

• When plating with chromium, chromic acid can be used as an intermediate in the plating process.
• Glasses, particularly coloured glass and ceramic glass, are made with chromic acid as an additive.
• An oxidising agent that is effective for glass cleaning in the laboratory is a mixture of chlorosulfonic acid and sulfochromic acid.
• In the tool repair industry, chromic acid is used to polish raw metal, which makes it a useful product.
• Beginning in 1940, chromic acid was applied to hair dyes.

Chemical Reaction 

Chromic acid is highly unstable, and as a result, it must be produced in situ whenever it is required, and use one of the methods listed below.

• Chromium (III) oxide reacts with water to form chromium oxide.

CrO3 + H2O————>H2CrO4

• Sulfuric acid is used in the reaction of potassium or sodium dichromate.

Kr2Cr2O7 + H2SO4————>H2Cr2O7 + K2SO4

H2O

H2Cr2O7———————>2H2CrO4

Health hazards

Chemical compounds containing hexavalent chromium (chromium trioxide, chromates, chromic acids, and chlorochromate, for example) are toxic and carcinogenic to humans.As a result, chromic acid oxidation is only used in the aerospace industry and not on a larger scale in any other industrial setting.

Chromic acids are powerful oxidizers, and when combined with some easily oxidizable organic substances, they can erupt in a violent reaction that can cause explosions or fires. In the event of any burns caused by this acid, a dilute solution of sodium thiosulfate is applied to the affected area.

Conclusion

Chromic acid is also referred to as Tetraoxo Chromic acid or Chromic(VI) acid. It is also possible to refer to chromic acid in terms of the molecular species H2CrO4, in which the trioxide is the anhydride and the trioxide is the trioxide.

Chromic acid is used in ceramic glazes, coloured glass, and chromium plating as an intermediate step in the plating process.Chromic acid is capable of oxidising a wide range of organic compounds, and numerous variants of this reagent have been developed to meet specific needs.Hexavalent chromium compounds (such as chromium trioxide, chromic acids, chromates, and chlorochromate) are toxic and carcinogenic, and they should be avoided at all costs. As a result, except in the aerospace industry, chromic acid oxidation is not used on a large scale in the industrial setting.Glasses, particularly coloured glass and ceramic glass, are made with chromic acid as an additive.

Chemical compounds containing hexavalent chromium (chromium trioxide, chromates, chromic acids, and chlorochromate, among others) are toxic and carcinogenic to humans. In order to avoid contamination, only the aerospace industry employs chromic acid oxidation; it is not used in any other industrial setting.