Chromium(VI) oxide peroxide

Chromium(VI) oxide peroxide is a chemical compound with the chemical formula CrO(O₂)₂. The name "chromium(VI) oxide peroxide" is also given to a collection of chromium coordination complexes. They have the formula CrO(O₂)₂L where L is a ligand. These species are dark blue and often labile. They all feature oxo ligand and two peroxo ligands, with the remaining coordination sites occupied by water, hydroxide, diethyl ether, pyridine, or other Lewis bases.^[1]

Chromium(VI) oxide peroxide

Chromium(VI) oxide peroxide coordination complex
Names
IUPAC name Chromium(VI) oxide diperoxide
Other names Chromium(VI) oxide peroxide Chromium pentoxide . chromium oxide peroxide, chromium(VI) oxide diperoxide
Identifiers
CAS Number	35262-77-2 applies to "CrO5", which exists only as adducts, see image Y
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChEBI	CHEBI:30726
ChemSpider	21865108
Gmelin Reference	101104
PubChem CID	22222816
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID201029514
InChI InChI=1/Cr.5O/q;;;-2;2*-1/rCrO4.O/c2-1(3,4)5;/q2*-2 Key: ZWPVWTIRZYDPKW-NIUFNKCUAY
SMILES O0O[Cr]01(=O)OO1
Properties
Chemical formula	CrO(O2)2
Molar mass	131.991 g·mol−1
Appearance	Dark blue
Solubility in water	soluble (decomposes)
Hazards
Occupational safety and health (OHS/OSH):
Main hazards	May suddenly explode if unstabilized/dry, toxic and create highly carcinogenic chromium fumes.
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). N verify (what is YN ?) Infobox references

Preparation and properties

Structure of CrO(O₂)₂(pyridine). Hydrogen atoms bonded to carbon atoms are omitted. Color code: Cr = gray, C= black, H = white, O= red, N = blue.

Chromium(VI) oxide peroxide is formed by the addition of acidified hydrogen peroxide solutions to solutions of metal chromates or dichromates, such as sodium chromate or potassium dichromate. The generally yellow chromates or orange dichromates turn to dark blue as "chromium(VI) oxide peroxide" forms:

CrO2−4 + 2 H₂O₂ + H⁺ → [CrO(O₂)₂OH]⁻ + 3 H₂O

The structure of the pyridine complex has been determined crystallographically.^[2] Adducts with other N-heterocycles have also been characterized similarly.^[3]

Aqueous chromium(VI) oxide peroxide decomposes in a few seconds, turning green as chromium(III) compounds are formed.^[4]

2 CrO(O₂)₂ + 7 H₂O₂ + 6 H⁺ → 2 Cr³⁺ + 10 H₂O + 7 O₂

Stable adducts of the type CrO(O₂)₂L include those with L = diethyl ether, 1-butanol, ethyl acetate, or amyl acetate. They form by adding a layer of the organic solvent above the chromate/dichromate solution and shaking during the addition of hydrogen peroxide.

The etherate, bis(pyridine) and pyridine complexes of this compound have been found to be effective oxidants in organic chemistry.^[5]

CrO(O₂)₂ is sometimes said to have a "butterfly-like" structure due to its arrangement according to valence bond theory.

"Butterfly structure"

Gallery

• 
  An aqueous solution of "chromium peroxide"
• 
  A dilute solution of "chromium peroxide"
• 
  "chromium(VI) oxide peroxide" in ether phase (above) and chromium(III) aqueous solution (below).

See also

• Tetraperoxochromate - an similarly-synthesized analogous chromium(V) peroxide complex