Chromium(III) sulfate

From Sciencemadness Wiki
Jump to: navigation, search
Chromium(III) sulfate
Chromium(III) sulfate.jpg
Chromium sulfate
Names
IUPAC name
Chromium(III) sulfate
Other names
Basic chromium sulfate
Chromic sulfate
Dichromium trisulfate
Properties
Cr2(SO4)3 (anhydrous)
Molar mass 392.16 g/mol
608.363 g/mol (dodecahydrate)
716.45 g/mol (octadecahydrate)
Appearance Reddish-brown crystals (anhydrous)
Purple crystals (hydrated)
Odor Odorless
Density 3.10 g/cm3 (anhydrous)
1.86 g/cm3 (pentadecahydrate)
1.709 g/cm3 (octadecahydrate)
Melting point 90 °C (194 °F; 363 K) (hydrated)
Boiling point 700 °C (1,292 °F; 973 K) (decomposes)
Anhydrous
Insoluble
Hydrate
Soluble
Solubility Reacts with bases
Soluble in alcohols
Insoluble in mineral acids, organic solvents
Vapor pressure ~0 mmHg
Hazards
Safety data sheet Sigma-Aldrich (hydrate)
Flash point Non-flammable
Related compounds
Related compounds
Chromic acid
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references

Chromium(III) sulfate is the inorganic compound with chemical formula Cr2(SO4)3. It is a temperature-sensitive blue-grey solid and one of the principal compounds of chromium.

Properties

Chemical

Solutions of chromium(III) sulfate turn from blue to green upon heating, indicating the formation of a less reactive "sulfato-complex" that may take days or weeks to revert. Freshly prepared chromium sulfate often contains traces of this coloration, with some samples even appearing green rather than blue, but is otherwise usable.

A solution of both chromium(III) sulfate and potassium sulfate will yield crystals of chrome alum on partial evaporation.

Treatment of chromium(III) sulfate with bases produces chromium(III) hydroxide. If the base used is a carbonate or bicarbonate, this reaction is accompanied with the release of carbon dioxide, in a manner similar to iron, which does not form carbonates.

Strong oxidizers such as hypochlorite can oxidise the aqueous Cr(III) to chromate (CrO42-).

Physical

Chromium(III) sulfate most often appears as a blue-grey or violet-grey amorphous solid. Recently prepared samples or those that have been subjected to heat may contain a deep green-colored sulfato complex and are hygroscopic as a result. Purer samples can be dried to form a lighter-colored powder.

Chromium(III) sulfate is readily soluble in water and some lower alcohols.

Availability

Chromium sulfate, for the most part, can only be purchased from online suppliers. Its use as a tanning chemical has largely been superseded by chrome alum and other agents.

Preparation

The Jones oxidation, which uses a solution of potassium dichromate or sodium dichromate acidified with sulfuric acid to oxidize alcohols, produces chromium(III) sulfate as a byproduct, along with sodium or potassium sulfate. If the temperature of the reaction is kept low enough, the presence of chromium(III) sulfate will be indicated by a blue or blue-violet color to the end product, rather than a green color produced when the temperature is too high. To extract the chromium(III) from solution, the reaction products must be treated with bases to precipitate chromium(III) hydroxide.

Chromium(III) sulfate can be more directly produced by the action of cold, dilute sulfuric acid on chromium(III) hydroxide or chromium(III) oxide. It should be noted, however, that many grades of chromium(III) oxide are not reactive enough, often as a result of being calcined, to respond to treatment with acid.

Projects

  • Grow crystals of chrome alum, a double salt
  • Compound collecting (colored salts)
  • Make chromates and dichromates

Handling

Safety

Contact with solutions of chromium(III) sulfate or inhalation of particles may cause irritation, but overall this compound is relatively non-toxic.

Storage

Chromium(III) sulfate is relatively stable and has low reactivity, but should be kept away from temperatures greater than 40 °C when in the presence of moisture to avoid complex formation. A clean plastic bottle is a good storage bottle.

Disposal

Chromium(III) can be harmful to marine life, so water-soluble compounds of trivalent chromium should be precipitated as chromium(III) hydroxide before being disposed of in the trash. You can also recycle the chromium ions.

References

Relevant Sciencemadness threads