NEET UG » NEET UG Study Material » Chemistry » Properties of K2Cr2O7 and KMnO4

Properties of K2Cr2O7 and KMnO4

As we have to know about the properties of K2Cr2O7 and KMnO4 we should first learn about preparation of K2Cr2O7 and KMnO4.

Introduction

Potassium dichromate, which is also known as anhydrochromate, is prepared by using neutral yellow chromate of potassium to the solution, that’s a mild extent of one of the stronger acids. Potassium Permanganate (KMnO4) by reacting the MnO2 element with an alkali metal hydroxide and the KNO3 (oxidizing agent).

Potassium Dichromate 

Potassium dichromate, better known as anhydrochromate, may be prepared by making use of neutral yellow chromate of potassium to the solution, that’s a mild extent of one of the stronger acids. Commercially, potassium permanganate is prepared by blending the potassium hydroxide solution and powdered manganese oxide with oxidizing agents together with potassium chlorate. 

Preparation of Potassium Dichromate – K2Cr2O7

Potassium dichromate is an important chemical that is utilized in industries as an oxidizing agent and for the preparation of numerous other compounds. Usually, dichromates are prepared from chromates, and that is obtained with the mixture of chromite ore, including potassium or sodium carbonate, in the presence of air.

The chemical reaction may be given as follows: 

4FeCr2O4+8Na2CO3+7O28Na2CrO4+2Fe2O3+8CO2

O2 The sodium chromate (Na2CrO4) solution is further purified with sulphuric acid to supply a solution, where the crystals of orange-colored sodium dichromate Na2Cr2O7.2H2O are extracted. 2Na2CrO4+2H+Na2Cr2O7+2Na+++H2O

Now, the potassium dichromate is obtained by reacting a sodium dichromate solution with potassium chloride.

The chemical response may be given as follows: 

Na2Cr2O7+2KClK2Cr2O7+2NaCl

Therefore, we are able to finally achieve the orange crystals of potassium dichromate.

 Structure of Potassium Dichromate Molecules

 Potassium dichromate is defined as an ionic compound that contains one dichromate anion and potassium cations. The coordination geometries present across the chromium atoms are tetrahedral. The shape of  Potassium dichromate’s molecule can be illustrated as follows: 

  1. We should note that the potassium dichromate molecule, potassium shows a +1 oxidation state, and oxygen indicates a -2 oxidation state, and chromium indicates a+6 oxidation state. 
  2. It is also important to know that the potassium dichromate crystals have a triclinic structure. 

Preparation of Potassium Permanganate – KMnO4 

We can get this Potassium Permanganate (KMnO4) by reacting the MnO2 element with an alkali metal hydroxide and the KNO3 (oxidizing agent). This will further bring about the darkish  K2MnO4, that’s disproportionate in a neutral or acidic medium to provide permanganate. 

3MnO-42+4H+2MnO-4+MnO2+2H2O

2MnO4+4KOH+O42K2MnO4+2H2O

Thus, the potassium permanganate gives a response to MnO2 with KOH to supply MnO2−4 followed by electrolytic oxidation of manganate to provide permanganate ion, MnO2−4. After this manganese ion, the salt can be oxidized by peroxodisulphate to permanganate ion in step with the response given as follows: 

2Mn2++5S2O2-8+H2O2MnO-4+10SO2-4+16H

Hence, the potassium permanganate’s darkish red colored crystals are received.

 The chemical equation for the same can be given as follows: 

2KMnO4K2MnO4+MnO2+O2

Properties of Potassium Dichromate, K2Cr2O7 

Potassium dichromate, on heating, decomposes to provide the chromic oxide, oxygen, and potassium chromate.

 The chemical reaction may be given as follows:

4K2Cr2O74K2CrO4+2CrO3+3O2 

  • It is defined as an effective oxidizing agent, and it oxidizes iodide to iodine.

 The chemical response may be given as follows:

Cr2O2-7+14H++6I2Cr3++7H2O+3I2

  • The compound carries vibrant purple crystals, and it may be used for staining, tanning, dyeing, and greater. 
  • For scientific purposes, it can be antiseptic, caustic, and astringent. When heated, it emits poisonous chromium fumes.
  • It is a strong oxidizing agent and tremendously corrosive for which it may be utilized in wooden preservatives, production of pigments, and photochemical processes. Properties of Potassium Permanganate, KMnO4 Potassium permanganate, when heated, produces manganese dioxide, oxygen, and potassium manganate. 

The chemical response may be given as follows:

2KMnO4K2MnO4+MnO2+O2 

  • It may be described as an effective oxidizing agent in alkaline or acidic solutions.
  • It is noncombustible however it works as a catalyst in  the burning of flammable materials.
  • It is in red crystal shape and is soluble in warm water.
  • In excessive concentration, it may emerge as poisonous. 
  • When combined with glycerine, it’ll start a fire

. Applications of Potassium Dichromate 

The principal application of K2Cr2O7 is in the potassium chrome alum preparation, a compound that’s significantly utilized in leather-based tanning. Chromic acid is likewise prepared from this compound. Also, potassium dichromate is famous for use in cement manufacturing because it improves the texture and the cement mixture density. Another crucial and major application of potassium dichromate is given in the industry of photography, where it can  be utilized in combination with an effective mineral acid as an oxidizing agent in photographic screen printing. Since it’s miles non-hygroscopic in nature, potassium dichromate is also hired for lots of moist assessments in the analytical chemistry field. 

Use of Potassium Dichromate

  1.  It may be utilized in several programs as an oxidizing agent and extensively utilized in specific product preparation such as paints, waxes, glues, and more items. 
  2. Potassium dichromate is tremendously poisonous and carcinogenic as a hexavalent chromium compound. 
  3. The critical difference among potassium permanganate and potassium dichromate is that potassium permanganate has a dim red tone, while potassium dichromate has a purple-orange tone. 
  4. Potassium permanganate and potassium dichromate are easily available while we often use them in titration methods.
  5. These combos contain potassium as a constituent, we are able to certainly recognize them simply by checking them considering they’ve a very specific appearance.

Potassium Permanganate

 Potassium permanganate is an inorganic compound which has the substance recipe KMnO4. In these  lines, the compound is a salt of potassium because it has the 2 particles, K+ and MnO4–. The steel manganese is in +7 oxidation state. The compound exists in the strong state at room temperature and suggests up as a dim purple strong compound. Furthermore, it is a vast medicine for easy injuries. 

Key Difference – Potassium Permanganate and Potassium Dichromate

 Also, potassium permanganate is a strong oxidizing specialist. It is water solvent, and after dissolving in water, it offers pink or purple shaded arrangements. The dissipation of water from this association offers dull purple, flickering valuable stones. Besides, this compound is a strong oxidant that does not supply any dangerous side-effects. In this way, it’s miles are extraordinarily treasured in numerous applications. The fields of usage include medication, water treatment, union of herbal combos, natural product safeguarding, and so forth .

Conclusion

Potassium Dichromate is an orange to red colored, crystalline, inorganic compound that emits toxic chromium fumes upon heating. Potassium dichromate is highly corrosive and is a strong oxidizing agent. This substance is used in wood preservatives in the manufacture of pigments and in photomechanical processes, but is mainly replaced by sodium dichromate. Potassium dichromate primarily affects the respiratory tract causing ulcerations, shortness of breath, bronchitis, pneumonia and asthma but can also affect the gastrointestinal tract liver kidneys and immune system. This substance is a known human carcinogen and is associated with an increased risk of developing lung cancer and cancer of the sinonasal cavity.