Bismuth chromate

Description

An orange reddish amorphous powder. Bismuth chromate has been mentioned as having been used as a pigment in the early 19th century. However, it was expensive and offered no clear advantages over the other available pigments at the time.

Synonyms and Related Terms

basic dichromate; cromato de bismuto (Esp.); chromate de bismuth (Fr.); cromato di bismuto (It.); cromato de bismuto (Port.)

Risks

• Human carcinogen.
• Skin contact may cause allergies.
• Acute ingestion may cause fatal chromium poisoning.
• Chronic inhalation may cause lung cancer and respiratory irritation.
• NIH: Information sheet

Physical and Chemical Properties

• Soluble in acids and alkalis.
• Insoluble in water and ethanol.
• Composition = Bi2O3-2CrO3

Resources and Citations

• H. Kuhn, M.Curran, "Chrome Yellow and Other Chromate Pigments", Artists Pigments, Volume 1, R. Feller (ed.), Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, 1986.

• G.S.Brady, Materials Handbook, McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971 Comment: p. 104

• Richard S. Lewis, Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 10th ed., 1993