Potassium compounds dichromate

Sulfates of sodium are iadustriaUy important materials commonly sold ia three forms (Table 1). In the period from 1970 to 1981, > 1 million metric tons were consumed aimuaHy ia the United States. Siace then, demand has declined. In 1988 consumption dropped to 890,000 t, and ia 1994 to 610,000 t (1,2). Sodium sulfate is used principally (40%) ia the soap (qv) and detergent iadustries. Pulp and paper manufacturers consume 25%, textiles 19%, glass 5%, and miscellaneous iadustries consume 11% (3). About half of all sodium sulfate produced is a synthetic by-product of rayon, dichromate, phenol (qv), or potash (see Chromium compounds Fibers, regenerated cellulosics Potassium compounds). Sodium sulfate made as a by-product is referred to as synthetic. Sodium sulfate made from mirabilite, thenardite, or naturally occurring brine is called natural sodium sulfate. In 1994, about 300,000 t of sodium sulfate were produced as a by-product another 300,000 t were produced from natural sodium sulfate deposits (4). 

Zirconium reduces almost all oxygen-containing salts. This is the case for alkali hydroxides (accidents with the lithium, sodium and potassium compounds) and zirconium hydroxide, lithium, sodium and potassium carbonates, alkaline sulphates sodium tetraborate and copper (II) oxide. This is true especially for oxidising salts such as alkaline chromates and dichromates, chlorates (accident with potassium salt) and nitrates (accident with potassium salt). 

On account of the difficulty of carrying out the industrial process on a laboratory scale, the following less economical procedure is recommended The raw material, chromic oxide, Cr203, is first treated with fused KOH. The oxidizing agent, KN03, is then added and it works more effectively than if it had been added at the outset. The aqueous extract of this fusion is allowed to crystallize to obtain a preparation of potassium chromate. The mother liquor from these crystals is acidified With acetic acid to obtain a preparation of potassium dichromate. Potassium compounds are prepared because they are less soluble and crystallize better than the corresponding sodium compounds. 

Potassium compounds are among the most important base chemicals, especially potassium hydroxide (caustic potash) KOH, potassium nitrate (saltpeter) KNO3, potassium carbonate (potash) K2CO3, potassium chloride KCl, potassium chlorate KCIO3, potassium bromide KBr, potassium iodide Kl, potassium cyanide KCN, potassium sulfate KjSO, and potassium dichromate Ci 20j. 

The decomposition step is carried out in a mixture of 0.5 M sulfuric acid and 100 volume hydrogen peroxide. The copper(II) sulfate, potassium/sodium dichromate and arsenic pentoxide in CCA preservatives undergo fixation to form potassium/sodium sulfate by-products. Any potential interference in the chromium and arsenic signals from these compounds in the leachate is overcome by an excess of sodium... 

Addition of dilute potassium dichromate(VI) solution, K2Cr207, to a solution of hydrogen peroxide produces chromium peroxide, CrOj, as an unstable blue coloration on adding a little ether and shaking this compound transfers to the organic layer in which it is rather more stable. 

Oxidation of side chains. Aromatic nitro compounds that contain a side chain (e.g., nitro derivatives of alkyl benzenes) may be oxidised to the corresponding acids either by alkahne potassium permanganate (Section IV,9, 6) or, preferably, with a sodium dichromate - sulphuric acid mixture in which medium the nitro compound is more soluble. 

The compound is employed inter alia as an indicator In titrations with potassium dichromate and ceric siilphate solutions. 

All compounds of chromium are colored the most important are the chromates of sodium and potassium and the dichromates and the potassium and ammonium chrome alums. The dichromates are used as oxidizing agents in quantitative analysis, also in tanning leather. 

In addition to CuCfi, some other compounds such as Cu(OAc)2, Cu(N03)2-FeCl.i, dichromate, HNO3, potassium peroxodisulfate, and Mn02 are used as oxidants of Pd(0). Also heteropoly acid salts comtaining P, Mo, V, Si, and Ge are used with PdS04 as the redox system[2]. Organic oxidants such as benzo-quinone (BQ), hydrogen peroxide and some organic peroxides are used for oxidation. Alkyl nitrites are unique oxidants which are used in some industrial... 

Sihcon carbide is comparatively stable. The only violent reaction occurs when SiC is heated with a mixture of potassium dichromate and lead chromate. Chemical reactions do, however, take place between sihcon carbide and a variety of compounds at relatively high temperatures. Sodium sihcate attacks SiC above 1300°C, and SiC reacts with calcium and magnesium oxides above 1000°C and with copper oxide at 800°C to form the metal sihcide. Sihcon carbide decomposes in fused alkahes such as potassium chromate or sodium chromate and in fused borax or cryohte, and reacts with carbon dioxide, hydrogen, ak, and steam. Sihcon carbide, resistant to chlorine below 700°C, reacts to form carbon and sihcon tetrachloride at high temperature. SiC dissociates in molten kon and the sihcon reacts with oxides present in the melt, a reaction of use in the metallurgy of kon and steel (qv). The dense, self-bonded type of SiC has good resistance to aluminum up to about 800°C, to bismuth and zinc at 600°C, and to tin up to 400°C a new sihcon nitride-bonded type exhibits improved resistance to cryohte. 

The primary Cr—O bonded species is cbromium (VT) oxide, CrO, which is better known as chromic acid [1115-74-5], the commercial and common name. This compound also has the aliases chromic trioxide and chromic acid anhydride and shows some similarity to SO. The crystals consist of infinite chains of vertex-shared CrO tetrahedra and are obtained as an orange-red precipitate from the addition of sulfuric acid to the potassium or sodium dichromate(VI). Completely dry CrO is very dark red to red purple, but the compound is deflquescent and even traces of water give the normal mby red color. Cbromium (VT) oxide is a very powerful oxidi2er and contact with oxidi2able organic compounds may cause fires or explosions. 

Manufacture The primary iadustrial compounds of chromium made directly from chromite ore are sodium chromate, sodium dichromate, and chromic acid. Secondary chromium compounds produced ia quantity include potassium dichromate, potassium chromate, and ammonium dichromate. 

The primary routes of entry for animal exposure to chromium compounds are inhalation, ingestion, and, for hexavalent compounds, skin penetration. This last route is more important in industrial exposures. Most hexavalent chromium compounds are readily absorbed, are more soluble than trivalent chromium in the pH range 5 to 7, and react with cell membranes. Although hexavalent compounds are more toxic than those of Cr(III), an overexposure to compounds of either oxidation state may lead to inflammation and irritation of the eyes, skin, and the mucous membranes associated with the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts. Skin ulcers and perforations of nasal septa have been observed in some industrial workers after prolonged exposure to certain hexavalent chromium compounds (108—110), ie, to chromic acid mist or sodium and potassium dichromate. 

The NIOSH recommended exposure limit for carcinogenic hexavalent chromium is 1 lg/m Cr(VI) as a 10-h TWA, and for noncarcinogenic Cr(VI) the 10-h TWA is 25 lg/m Cr(VI), including a 15-min maximum exposure of 50 lg/m Cr(VI). According to NIOSH, the noncarcinogenic Cr(VI) compounds are chromic acid and the chromates and dichromates of sodium, potassium, lithium, mbidium, cesium, and ammonia. NIOSH considers any hexavalent chromium compound that does not appear on the preceding Hst carcinogenic (145). 

Chromium trioxide (chromic anhydride) [1333-82-0] M 100.0, m 197°, dec at 250° to Cr203, d 2.70 (pK 0.74, pK 6.49, for H2Cr04, chromic acid). Red crystals from water (0.5mL/g) between 100° and -5°, or from water/conc HNO3 (1 5). It separates when potassium or sodium dichromate are dissolved in cone H2SO4. Dried in a vacuum desiccator over NaOH pellets hygroscopic, powerful oxidant, can ignite with organic compounds. It is a skin and pulmonary IRRITANT. 

Ionic compounds containing polyatomic ions. Ftitassium dichromate (KjCtjOj, orange), potassium permanganate (KMnOa, very dark purple), and potassium nitrate (KNO3. white). 

Transition metal ions. Transition metal ions impart color to many of their compounds and solutions, (a) Bottom row (left to right) iron(lll) chloride. copper ll) sulfate, manganese(ll) chloride, cobalt(ll) chloride. Top row (left to right) chromium(lll) nitrate, iron(ll) sulfate, nickel(ll) sulfate, potassium dichromate, (b) Solutions of the compounds in (a) in the order listed above. 

Oxidising acetic acid by using chromium (VI) compounds is far less dangerous, if an aqueous potassium dichromate/sulphuric acid mixture is used. On the other hand, if hot evaporation of the medium is carried out and this gives rise to the formation of solid dichromate, the detonation due to the contact of solid salt with acetic acid cannot be avoided. 

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