Magnesium chromate, decomposition

Chromates are usually yellow or red in colour, and, except those of ammonium, the alkali metals, calcium, strontium, and magnesium, are practically insoluble in w ater. They are obtained by oxidation of chromites, by fusion of chromium sesquioxide with the appropriate base in presence of air or of an oxidising agent by oxidation of chromium salts in solution or by double decomposition. Normal, di-, and tri-clrromates, etc., are derived from one and the same acid oxide KaCrOj behaves like an alkali torvards CrOg, since it is quantitatively converted into dichromate. A large number of complex double chromates are known. 

Potassium or sodium-potassium alloy mixed with ammonium nitrate and ammonium sulfate results in explosion (NFPA 1986). Violent reactions may occur when a metal such as aluminum, magnesium, copper, cadmium, zinc, cobalt, nickel, lead, chromium, bismuth, or antimony in powdered form is mixed with fused ammonium nitrate. An explosion may occur when the mixture above is subjected to shock. A mixture with white phosphorus or sulfur explodes by percussion or shock. It explodes when heated with carbon. Mixture with concentrated acetic acid ignites on warming. Many metal salts, especially the chromates, dichromates, and chlorides, can lower the decomposition temperature of ammonium nitrate. For example, presence of 0.1% CaCb, NH4CI, AICI3, or FeCb can cause explosive decomposition at 175°C (347°F). Also, the presence of acid can further catalyze the decomposition of ammonium nitrate in presence of metal sulfides. 

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