Sodium dichromate
Description
Bright orange or red crystals. Sodium dichromate is as used an oxidizing agent in dyes, inks, and paints. It is also used for chrome tanning hides and as a chrome mordant for textile dyeing. Solutions of sodium dichromate are used as anticorrosive agents for iron and preservatives for wood. In the 19th century aqueous solutions of chromic acid, prepared with sodium dichromate and sulfuric acid, were used as glass cleaning solutions in laboratories.
Synonyms and Related Terms
sodium bichromate; bichromate of soda; sodium dichromate dihydrate; disodium salt of chromic acid
Other Properties
Soluble in water forming acidic solutions (pH = 4.0 for 1% solution).
Crystal system is monoclinic sphenoidal; forms elongated prisms.
| Composition | Na2Cr2O7 |
|---|---|
| CAS | 10588-01-9 |
| Melting Point | 357 |
| Density | 2.348 |
| Molecular Weight | mol. wt. = 298.0 |
| Boiling Point | 400 |
Hazards and Safety
Extremely dangerous. Contact, inhalation, or ingestion will destroy human tissue. Avoid all contact. Carcinogenic. Possible mutagen. Biohazard.
Strong oxidizing agent. Fire hazard in contact with dry organic materials.
Mallinckrodt Baker: MSDS
Authority
- Richard S. Lewis, Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 10th ed., 1993
- Susan E. Schur, Conservation Terminology: A review of Past & Current Nomenclature of Materials, Technology and Conservation, Spring (p.34-39); Summer (p.35-38); Fall (p.25-36), 1985
- Van Nostrand's Scientific Encyclopedia, Douglas M. Considine (ed.), Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1976
- Random House, Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, Grammercy Book, New York, 1997
- The Merck Index, Martha Windholz (ed.), Merck Research Labs, Rahway NJ, 10th edition, 1983 Comment: entry 8754