Chromic Acid

Brief Overview

Chromic acid is a dark red strong and corrosive oxidising agent which is easily soluble in water. It is usually added to concentrated sulfuric acid to produce a dichromate mixture, including solid chromium trioxide. This kind of chromic acid may be used as a cleaning mixture for glass. Chromic acid is capable of oxidizing many organic product including methylbenzene and aldehydes. Millions of tonnes of chromic acid is produced annually for electroplating.

Manufacturing process

Chromium sulfate is decomposed with lime and heat. The chromate of lime is treated with sodium sulphate to yield soluble sodium chromate and gypsum. The addition of sulfuric acid will liberate the chromic acid.

Chromium plating

Chromic acid is an intermediate in chromium plating and used in ceramic glazes and colored glass.

Cleaning agent

Chromic acid is used to clean laboratory glassware, particularly of otherwise insoluble organic residues.

Chemical industry

Chromic acid is used as an oxidizing agent in the production of organic synthesis and preparation of other chrome chemicals of analytical grades.