Question

Why is potassium dichromate a good oxidizing agent?

Answer 1

Potassium dichromate:

1. Two potassium ions ($K^{+}$) and then a negative charge dichromate ion make up the ionic compound potassium dichromate $\left({\mathrm{Cr}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_7^{2-}\right).$.
2. Two hexagonal chromium ions with an oxidation state of +6 are connected to three oxygen atoms each and to a bridging oxygen atom in the dichromate ion.

Potassium dichromate a good oxidizing agent is:

1. When elements come into contact with potassium dichromate in a chemical reaction, they become more electronegative as the oxidation state of their atoms increases.
2. In an acidic media, potassium dichromate is a potent oxidizing agent.
3. To oxidize alcohols, this chemical molecule is often utilized. Under certain conditions, primary alcohols can be transformed into aldehydes or carboxylic acids.
4. This inorganic chemical reagent is widely utilized in a variety of laboratories and industries.

Potassium dichromate is a powerful oxidizing agent in an acidic medium. In the presence of dilute sulphuric acid, it liberates nascent oxygen.

$\underset{(\mathrm{Pottasium}\mathrm{dichromate})}{\underbrace{{\mathrm{K}}_2{\mathrm{Cr}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_7\left(\mathrm{s}\right)}}+\underset{(\mathrm{Sulphuric}\mathrm{acid})}{\underbrace{4{\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4(\mathrm{aq}}})\to \underset{(\mathrm{Pottasium}\mathrm{sulphate})}{\underbrace{{\mathrm{K}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)}}+\underset{(\mathrm{Chromium}\mathrm{sulphate})}{\underbrace{{\mathrm{Cr}}_2{\left({\mathrm{SO}}_4\right)}_3\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)}}+\underset{\left(\mathrm{Water}\right)}{\underbrace{4{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\left(\mathrm{l}\right)}}+\underset{(\mathrm{Nascant}\mathrm{Oxygen})}{\underbrace{3\left[\mathrm{O}\right]}}$