Substance profile
Potassium dichromate
Potassium dichromate is orange-red triclinic crystals and is odorless.
01 · Identification
What Potassium dichromate is
Potassium dichromate is orange-red triclinic crystals and is odorless. Its molecular formula is Cr2K2O7 and its molecular weight is 294.18 g/mol. It boils at 500 °C, melts at 398 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as carcinogens.
Other names for Potassium dichromate
- K2Cr2O7
- Bichromate Of Potash
- Bichrome
- Chromic Acid, Dipotassium Salt
- Chromium Potassium Oxide (K2Cr2O7)
- Dichromic Acid (H2Cr2O7), Dipotassium Salt
- Dichromic Acid Dipotassium Salt
- Dichromic Acid, Dipotassium Salt
- Dipotassium Bichromate
- Dipotassium Bichromate (K2Cr2O7)
- Dipotassium Dichromate
- Dipotassium Dichromate (K2Cr2O7)
- Dipotassium Dichromium Heptaoxide
02 · GHS classification
Hazards and label elements
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H272 | May intensify fire; oxidiser. |
| H350 | May cause cancer <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>. |
| H340 | May cause genetic defects <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>. |
| H360FD | May damage fertility. May damage the unborn child. |
| H330 | Fatal if inhaled. |
| H301 | Toxic if swallowed. |
| H312 | Harmful in contact with skin. |
| H372 | Causes damage to organs <or state all organs affected, if known> through prolonged or repeated exposure <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>. |
| H314 | Causes severe skin burns and eye damage. |
| H334 | May cause allergy or asthma symptoms or breathing difficulties if inhaled. |
| H317 | May cause an allergic skin reaction. |
| H400 | Very toxic to aquatic life. |
| H410 | Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects. |
Precautionary statements: P201, P260, P261, P270, P271, P272, P273, P280, P301, P302, P304, P308, P310, P312, P313, P314, P330, P331, P333, P352, P391, P501
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Potassium dichromate properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 500 °C (932 °F) | approximate | HSDB |
| 500 °C (932 °F) | decomposes | CAMEO | |
| Melting point | 398 °C (748.4 °F) | HSDB | |
| 397.78 °C (748 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| Density | 2.7 g/cm³ | ICSC | |
| 2.676 g/cm³ | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Solubility | 10 to 50 mg/mL at 68 °F (NTP, 1992) | at 20 °C | CAMEO |
| Solubility in water, g/100ml at 20 °C: 12 (moderate) | at 20 °C | ICSC | |
| In water, 45,000 mg/L at 25 °C | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Autoignition temperature | Not flammable (USCG, 1999) | CAMEO |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Potassium dichromate
Storage conditions
Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place. Storage class (TRGS 510): Oxidizing hazardous materials
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
Incompatible materials: Organic materials. Do not store near acids. Powdered metals, hydrazine.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
Potassium or sodium dichromate reacts explosively with hydrazine [Mellor 11:234. 1946-47]. A drop of anhydrous hydroxylamine on powdered potassium dichromate produces a violent explosion [Mellor 8:293. 1946-47].
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Potassium dichromate in the storage compatibility matrix →
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