2244. Chromous Chloride

Nomenclature

CAS number: 10049-05-5
Cl2Cr; mol wt 122.90.
Cl 57.69%, Cr 42.31%.
CrCl2.

Description and references

Prepn: Burg, Inorg. Synth. 3, 150 (1950); Hein, Herzog, in Handbook of Preparative Inorganic Chemistry Vol. 2, G. Brauer, Ed. (Academic Press, New York, 2nd ed. 1965) pp 1336-1338. Prepn of tetrahydrate: Balthis, Jr., Bailar, Jr., Inorg. Synth. 1, 125 (1939); Holah, Fackler, ibid. 10, 26 (1967). Toxicity study: H. F. Smyth et al., Am. Ind. Hyg. Assoc. J. 30, 470 (1969).

Properties

Lustrous needles or fused, fibrous mass. mp 824°; d414 2.751. Very hygroscopic; stable in dry air but oxidizes rapidly if moist. Powerful reducing agent. Soluble in water giving a blue soln. Keep well closed. LD50 orally in rats: 1.87 g/kg (Smyth).

Derivative

Tetrahydrate.

Nomenclature

Tetraaquochromium dichloride.

Properties

Bright blue, hygroscopic crystals. Above 38° changes to isomeric green modification. Loses 1H2O, forming trihydrate, at 51°. Absorbs O2 even when dry, forming a greenish-black oxychloride. Sol in water. Almost insol in concd HCl. On standing in soln it is oxidized by the water with liberation of H2. Keep well closed.

Use

In chromizing; in prepn of Cr metal; in catalysts for organic reactions; as O2 absorbent; in analysis.