Sponsor Area

The D-And-f-Block Elements

Question
CBSEENCH12007129

Indicate the steps in the preparation of  K2Cr2Ofrom chromite ore.

Solution

The preparation of potassium dichromate from chromite involves the following main steps:
(i) The chromate ore is finely ground and heated strongly with molten alkali in the presence of air.

2FeCr2O4Chromite + 8NaOH+7/2O2   4Na2Cr2O4Sodium chromate+Fe2O3+4H2O

(ii) The solution of sodium chromate is filtered and acidified with dilute sulphuric acid so that sodium dichromate is obtained.

2Fe2Cr2O4Sodium Chromate+H3SO4   Na2Cr2O7Sodium dichromate+Na2SO4+H2O

(iii) A calculated quantity of potassium chloride is added to a hot concentrated solution of sodium dichromate. Potassium dichromate is less soluble therefore it crystallizes out first.

Na2Cr2O7Sodium dichromate + 2KCl   K2Cr2O7Potassium dichromate + 2NaCl