The term chromic acid is usually used for a mixture made by adding concentrated sulfuric acid to a dichromate, which may contain a variety of compounds, including solid chromium trioxide. This kind of chromic acid may be used as a cleaning mixture for glass. Chromic acid may also refer to the molecular species, H2CrO4 of which the trioxide is the anhydride. Chromic acid features chromium in an oxidation state of +6 (and a valence of VI or 6). It is a strong and corrosive oxidizing agent and a moderate carcinogen.
Molecular chromic acid, H2CrO4, in principle, resembles sulfuric acid, H2SO4. It would ionize accordingly:
H2CrO4 ⇌ [HCrO4]− + H+
The pKa for the equilibrium is not well characterized. Reported values vary between about −0.8 to 1.6.[4] The structure of the mono anion has been determined by X-ray crystallography. In this tetrahedral oxyanion, three Cr-O bond lengths are 156 pm and the Cr-OH bond is 201 pm[5]
Loss of the second proton occurs in the pH range 4–8, making the ion [HCrO4]− a weak acid.[citation needed]
Molecular chromic acid could in principle be made by adding chromium trioxide to water (cf.manufacture of sulfuric acid).
CrO3 + H2O ⇌ H2CrO4
In practice, the reverse reaction occurs: molecular chromic acid dehydrates. Some insights can be gleaned from observations on the reaction of dichromate solutions with sulfuric acid. The first colour change from orange to red signals the conversion of dichromate to chromic acid. Under these conditions deep red crystals of chromium trioxide precipitate from the mixture, without further colour change.
Structure of tetrachromic acid H2Cr4O13·2H2O, one component of concentrated "chromic acid". The H-atom positions are calculated, not observed. Color code: red = O, white = H, blue = Cr.[7]
Higher chromic acids with the formula H2CrnO(3n+1) are probable components of concentrated solutions of chromic acid.
Uses
Chromic acid is an intermediate in chromium plating, and is also used in ceramic glazes, and colored glass. Because a solution of chromic acid in sulfuric acid (also known as a sulfochromic mixture or chromosulfuric acid) is a powerful oxidizing agent, it can be used to cleanlaboratory glassware, particularly of otherwise insoluble organic residues. This application has declined due to environmental concerns.[8] Furthermore, the acid leaves trace amounts of paramagnetic chromic ions (Cr3+) that can interfere with certain applications, such as NMR spectroscopy. This is especially the case for NMR tubes.[9]Piranha solution can be used for the same task, without leaving metallic residues behind.
Chromic acid was widely used in the musical instrument repair industry, due to its ability to "brighten" raw brass. A chromic acid dip leaves behind a bright yellow patina on the brass. Due to growing health and environmental concerns, many have discontinued use of this chemical in their repair shops.
It was used in hair dye in the 1940s, under the name Melereon.[10]
It is used as a bleach in black and white photographic reversal processing.[11]
Reactions
Chromic acid is capable of oxidizing many kinds of organic compounds and many variations on this reagent have been developed:
Oxidation of secondary alcohol to ketone (cyclooctanone)[15] and nortricyclanone.[16]
Use in qualitative organic analysis
In organic chemistry, dilute solutions of chromic acid can be used to oxidize primary or secondary alcohols to the corresponding aldehydes and ketones. Similarly, it can also be used to oxidize an aldehyde to its corresponding carboxylic acid. Tertiary alcohols and ketones are unaffected. Because the oxidation is signaled by a color change from orange to brownish green (indicating chromium being reduced from oxidation state +6 to +3), chromic acid is commonly used as a lab reagent in high school or undergraduate college chemistry as a qualitative analytical test for the presence of primary or secondary alcohols, or aldehydes.[12]
Alternative reagents
In oxidations of alcohols or aldehydes into carboxylic acids, chromic acid is one of several reagents, including several that are catalytic. For example, nickel(II) salts catalyze oxidations by bleach (hypochlorite).[17] Aldehydes are relatively easily oxidized to carboxylic acids, and mild oxidizing agents are sufficient. Silver(I) compounds have been used for this purpose. Each oxidant offers advantages and disadvantages. Instead of using chemical oxidants, electrochemical oxidation is often possible.
Safety
Hexavalent chromium compounds (including chromium trioxide, chromic acids, chromates, chlorochromates) are toxic and carcinogenic. Chromium trioxide and chromic acids are strong oxidizers and may react violently if mixed with easily oxidizable organic substances.
^IUPAC SC-Database A comprehensive database of published data on equilibrium constants of metal complexes and ligands
^Mukherjee, A. K.; Mukhopadhaya, A.; Mukherjee, M.; Ray, S. (1994). "Two Mononuclear Tetraphenylphosphonium Oxochromium Complexes: (PPh4)[CrVO3(H2O)] and (PPh4)[CrVIO3(OH)]". Acta Crystallographica Section C Crystal Structure Communications. 50 (9): 1401–1404. Bibcode:1994AcCrC..50.1401M. doi:10.1107/S0108270194003148.
^Brito, F.; Ascanioa, J.; Mateoa, S.; Hernándeza, C.; Araujoa, L.; Gili, P.; Martín-Zarzab, P.; Domínguez, S.; Mederos, A. (1997). "Equilibria of Chromate(VI) Species in Acid Medium and ab initio Studies of These Species". Polyhedron. 16 (21): 3835–3846. doi:10.1016/S0277-5387(97)00128-9.
^J. M. Grill; J. W. Ogle; S. A. Miller (2006). "An Efficient and Practical System for the Catalytic Oxidation of Alcohols, Aldehydes, and α,β-Unsaturated Carboxylic Acids". J. Org. Chem.71 (25): 9291–9296. doi:10.1021/jo0612574. PMID17137354.
