Chromium and its reactions
In a nutshell
Chromium ions usually exist in a +2, +3 and +6 oxidation state. Chromium ions in the +3 state are the most stable. Chromium ions can be oxidised and reduced. Chromium hydroxide precipitate is amphoteric.
Oxidation numbers
Chromium ions can exist in the +2, +3 and +6 oxidation state. The most stable chromium ion is in the +3 state.
Oxidation number of chromium | Formula of ion | Colour of ion in water |
| Cr2O72−(aq) | Orange |
| CrO42−(aq) | Yellow |
| Cr3+(aq) | Green (violet without impurities) |
| Cr2+(aq) | Blue |
Chromium and oxygen can form chromate (VI) ions (CrO42−), and dichromate (VI) ions (Cr2O72−). Chromium is in the +6 state.
Chromate (IV) ions and dichromate (IV) ions are good oxidising agents and can easily be reduced to Cr3+ ions.
Six water ligands can surround a Cr^{3+}Cr3+ ion to form an aqueous complex; these complexes appear violet. Impurities in water can substitute the the water ligands in the complex ion and turn the solution green.
Example
Cl− ions in water can substitute the water ligands coordinating with chromium ions.
Oxidation and reduction
Chromium can take part in various redox reactions.
Dichromate (VI) ions can be reduced to Cr3+ions with zinc and dilute acids as reducing agents.
Cr2O72−(aq) + 14H+(aq) + 3Zn(s)→3Zn2+(aq) + 2Cr3+(aq) + 7H2O(l) E∘=+2.09V
Cr3+ can be reduced further to Cr2+ using zinc. This must be carried out in an inert atmosphere as Cr2+ is very unstable and in air it will oxidise back to Cr3+.
2Cr3+(aq) + Zn(s)→Zn2+(aq) + 2Cr2+(aq) E∘=+0.35V
Cr3+ can be oxidised to chromate (VI) ions using hydrogen peroxide in alkaline solution.
2Cr3+(aq) + 10OH−(aq) + 3H2O2(aq)→2CrO42−(aq) + 8H2O(l)E∘=+1.08V
Acid can be added to the chromate (VI) ions to form dichromate (VI) ions. This reaction is reversible and equilibrium lies in the middle. Equilibrium will shift to the right if an acid is added, and to the left if an alkali is added.
2CrO42−(aq) + 2H+(aq)⇌Cr2O72−(aq) + H2O(l)
Acid and base reactions
An aqueous solution of chromium (III) ions can react with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) or aqueous ammonia (NH3) to form a chromium hydroxide precipitate (Cr(OH)3(H2O)3). The starting solution is green and the precipitate is grey-green.
[Cr(H2O)6]3+(aq) + 3OH−(aq)→[Cr(OH)3(H2O)3](s) + 3H2O(l)
[Cr(H2O)6]3+(aq) + 3NH3(aq)→[Cr(OH)3(H2O)3](s) + 3NH4+(aq)
When an excess of sodium hydroxide is added to chromium hydroxide precipitate, the water ligands deprotonate and [Cr(OH)6]3− ions form. A dark green solution forms.
[Cr(OH)3(H2O)3](s) + 3OH−(aq)→[Cr(OH)6]3−(aq)+3H2O(l)
Adding acid to chromium hydroxide will protonate the OH− ligands and result in [Cr(H2O)6]3+ ions forming. A green solution forms.
[Cr(OH)3(H2O)3](s) + 3H+(aq)→[Cr(H2O)6]3+(aq)
These are acid-base reactions and not ligand exchanges; H+ ions are being added or removed.
Ligand exchange reaction
Adding an excess of ammonia to chromium hydroxide precipitate results in a ligand exchange reaction. A purple solution forms containing [Cr(NH3)6]3+ ions.
[Cr(OH)3(H2O)3](s) + 6NH3(aq)→[Cr(NH3)6]3+(aq) + 3OH−(aq) + 3H2O(l)