Chromium(VI) oxide peroxide

Chromium(VI) oxide peroxide

Names
IUPAC name Chromium(VI) oxide peroxide
Other names Chromium(VI) pentoxide Chromium(VI) peroxide Chromium oxide peroxide Chromium pentoxide
Identifiers
Jmol-3D images	Image
SMILES [O-2].[O-][Cr]([O-])(=O)=O
Properties
Chemical formula	CrO5
Molar mass	131.99 g/mol
Appearance	Deep blue (solution only)
Melting point	Decomposes
Boiling point	Decomposes
Solubility in water	Soluble, but rapidly decomposes
Solubility	Soluble in diethyl ether, ethyl acetate, amyl alcohol and its esters, valeric ether Insoluble in benzene, carbon disulfide, toluene
Hazards
Safety data sheet	None
Related compounds
Related compounds	Chromium trioxide
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references

Chromium(VI) oxide peroxide, also known as chromium(VI) peroxide or chromium(VI) pentoxide (CrO₅) is an unstable compound formed by the addition of an acidified hydrogen peroxide solution to solutions of metal chromates, such as sodium or potassium chromate, and followed by extraction from aqueous solution with an organic solvent, such as diethyl ether.

Properties

Chemical

Chromium(VI) peroxide is not very stable in water, and will rapidly decompose to Cr(III) ions, releasing oxygen.

2 CrO₅ + 7 H₂O₂ + 6 H⁺ → 2 Cr³⁺ + 10 H₂O + 7 O₂

It can be stabilized by the addition of an solvent immiscible with water, such as diethyl ether, ethyl acetate, during the addition of the hydrogen peroxide.

Chromium peroxide will form a complex with pyridine.

Physical

Chromium(VI) oxide peroxide is a very unstable deep blue compound. It is soluble in water, but rapidly breaks down, and soluble as well as stable in solvents such as diethyl ether, ethyl acetate, amyl alcohol and its esters (formiate, acetate, butyrate, valerate), amyl chloride, valeric ether. It is insoluble in many other solvents, such as aniline, benzene, bergamot oil, CCl₄, CS₂, castor oil, kerosene, ligroin, nitrobenzene, paraffins, terpene alcohols, toluene, wintergreen oil.

Availability

Chromium peroxide is not sold by any entity due to its instability and has to be made in situ.

Preparation

The addition of an acidified solution of 3% hydrogen peroxide to sodium chromate will cause it to turn from yellow to dark blue-brown. The chromate salt reacts with hydrogen peroxide and an acid to give chromium peroxide, water, and the metal salt of the acid.

Na₂CrO₄ + 2 H₂O₂ + 2 H⁺ → CrO₅ + 3 H₂O + 2 Na⁺

Diethyl ether or ethyl acetate is added to stabilize the product.

The dissolution of chromium trioxide on ice is followed by the addition of cooled diethyl ether and finally cooled hydrogen peroxide (at 0 °C) is added. The solution is shaken and the water layer frozen on an ice bath.

Potassium peroxochromate can also be used instead of potassium chromate.

Projects

• Ether test for chromates

Handling

Safety

Chromium(V) oxide peroxide is a strong oxidizer, but it's generally too unstable to pose any serious risk. However, if produced in high quantity, it may spontaneously explode.

Storage

Cannot be stored, rapidly decomposes.

Disposal

Since it quickly breaks down to Cr(III) in water, it can be simply poured down the drain. Though it's best to decompose it first, for safety reasons.

References

Relevant Sciencemadness threads

• Lime green solution...