What is the Difference Between Potassium Chromate and Potassium Dichromate?

The main difference between potassium chromate and potassium dichromate lies in the oxidation state of the chromium atoms and their chemical formulas.

• Potassium Chromate: This compound has the chemical formula K2CrO4. It contains a single chromium atom per anion and has a bright yellow color. Potassium chromate is used for laboratory works, as an oxidizing agent, in qualitative inorganic analysis, and as an indicator in precipitation titrations.
• Potassium Dichromate: This compound has the chemical formula K2Cr2O7. It is made from the combination of two chromate ions and contains two chromium atoms per anion. Potassium dichromate has a bright orange color. It is used as a precursor for potassium chromium alum, which is used for cleaning purposes, in construction, and in photography.

Both potassium chromate and potassium dichromate are oxyanions of chromium and are moderately strong oxidizing agents. However, they have differences in color, with chromate appearing as a bright yellow and dichromate appearing as a bright orange. In an aqueous solution, there is an equilibrium between chromate and dichromate, but the concentration of each anion can vary depending on the pH value.

Comparative Table: Potassium Chromate vs Potassium Dichromate

Here is a table comparing the differences between potassium chromate and potassium dichromate:

Potassium chromate is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula K2CrO4 and appears as a yellow solid at room temperature. It is used in laboratory works, as an oxidizing agent, in qualitative inorganic analysis, and as an indicator in precipitation titrations.

Potassium dichromate, on the other hand, is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula K2Cr2O7 and has a red-orange color. It is a stronger oxidizing agent compared to potassium chromate and is used as a precursor for potassium chrome alum, which is used in cleaning purposes, construction, and photography.