Cr2O72-(aq) + 2OH-(aq) D 2CrO42-(aq) + H2O(l) In alkaline solution the yellow chromate(VI) dominates, in acidic solution orange dichromate(VI). All dichromate(VI) salts are soluble; addition of dichromate(VI) ions to solutions of ions of metals which have insoluble chromate(VI) salts leads to the precipitation of chromates. This means that the only dichromates that can exist are those of group 1 metals, ammonium, magnesium, calcium and strontium.
Barium chloride solution added to a chromate(VI) or dichromate(VI) solution precipitates bright yellow barium chromate(VI):
Ba2+(aq) + CrO42-(aq) " BaCrO4(s)
The addition of a heavy metal ion to potassium dichromate solution precipitates the chromate and therefore moves the equilibrium to the right hand side. If the chromate is sparingly soluble (e.g. strontium) the supernatant liquid will remain yellow. Very insoluble chromates, such as lead, remove all the colour from the supernatant liquid.
Dichromate(VI) ion solution in sulphuric acid is an oxidising agent; oxidation is shown by the solution turning from orange to green (Cr(III)). The following can be oxidised:
(a) iron(II) to iron(III):
Cr2O72-(aq) + 14H+(aq) + 6Fe2+(aq) " 2Cr3+(aq) + 7H2O(l) + 6Fe3+(aq)
(b) iodide to iodine (the solution turns murky greenish-brown):
Cr2O72-(aq) + 14H+(aq) + 6I-(aq) " 2Cr3+(aq) + 7H2O(aq) + 3I2(aq)
(c) sulphite to sulphate:
Cr2O72-(aq) + 8H+(aq) + 3SO32-(aq) " 2Cr3+(aq) + 4H2O(l) + 3SO42-(aq)
(d) nitrite to nitrate:
Cr2O72-(aq) + 8H+(aq) + 3NO2-(aq) " 2Cr3+(aq) + 4H2O(l) + 3NO3-(aq)
(e) hydrogen peroxide reacts with acidified dichromate(VI) solutions to give a blue compound that rapidly turns green and evolves oxygen. The blue compound can be extracted into an organic solvent such as butan-1-ol. The blue compound is CrO5, which contains a peroxy structure. It is covalent, and is stable in organic solvents though not in water.
Cr2O72-(aq) + 8H+(aq) + 3H2O2 (aq) " 2Cr3+(aq) + 7H2O(l) + 3 O2(g)
Alcohols are oxidised by acidified potassium dichromate(VI) solution. Primary alcohols give aldehydes and then acids, secondary alcohols give ketones. Ethanol can be used to test for dichromate(VI) ions, therefore, the solution turning green and the apple smell of ethanal being evident.