Potassium chlorochromate

Potassium chlorochromate is an inorganic compound with the formula KCrO₃Cl.^[4] It is the potassium salt of chlorochromate, [CrO₃Cl]⁻. It is a water-soluble orange compound is used occasionally for oxidation of organic compounds. It is sometimes called Péligot's salt, in recognition of its discoverer Eugène-Melchior Péligot.

Potassium chlorochromate

Names
Other names Potassium trioxochlorochromate,[1][2][3] Peligot's salt, Péligot's salt
Identifiers
CAS Number	16037-50-6 Y
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image Interactive image
ChemSpider	141577 19989111
ECHA InfoCard	100.036.506
EC Number	240-174-7
PubChem CID	23689123
InChI InChI=1S/ClH.Cr.K.3O/h1H;;;;;/q;;+1;;;/p-1 Key: PEBPTQFCMJWPGZ-UHFFFAOYSA-M
SMILES O=[Cr](=O)=O.[Cl-].[K+] O=[Cr-](=O)(=O)Cl.[K+]
Properties
Chemical formula	KCrO3Cl
Molar mass	174,5472 g/mol
Appearance	orange solid
Density	2.5228 g/cm3
Solubility in water	Soluble[vague]
Hazards
Occupational safety and health (OHS/OSH):
Main hazards	Highly toxic, corrosive, carcinogenic
GHS labelling:
Pictograms
Signal word	Danger
Hazard statements	H272, H315, H317, H319, H335, H350, H410
Precautionary statements	P203, P210, P220, P261, P264, P264+P265, P271, P272, P273, P280, P302+P352, P304+P340, P305+P351+P338, P318, P319, P321, P332+P317, P333+P317, P337+P317, P362+P364, P370+P378, P391, P403+P233, P405, P501
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). Infobox references

Structure and synthesis

Potassium chlorochromate was originally prepared by treating potassium dichromate with hydrochloric acid. An improved route involves the reaction of chromyl chloride and potassium chromate:^[5]

K₂CrO₄ + CrO₂Cl₂ → 2KCrO₃Cl

The salt consists of the tetrahedral chlorochromate anion. The average Cr=O bond length is 159 pm, and the Cr-Cl distance is 219 pm.^[6]

Reactions

Although air-stable, its aqueous solutions undergo hydrolysis in the presence of strong acids. With concentrated hydrochloric acid, it converts to chromyl chloride, which in turn reacts with water to form chromic acid and additional hydrochloric acid. When treated with 18-crown-6, it forms the lipophilic salt [K(18-crown-6)]CrO₃Cl.^[7]

Peligot's salt can oxidize benzyl alcohol, a reaction which can be catalyzed by acid.^[8] A related salt, pyridinium chlorochromate, is more commonly used for this reaction.

Safety

Potassium chlorochromate is toxic upon ingestion, and may cause irritation, chemical burns, and even ulceration on contact with the skin or eyes. .^[9] Like other hexavalent chromium compounds, it is also carcinogenic and mutagenic.