Potassium Dichromate

Brief Overview
Potassium dichromate, also called potassium dichromate (VI), is an orange-colored crystalline toxic inorganic chemical. It occurs naturally in mineral form as lopezite, which is a very rare mineral.  

Manufacturing Process
Potassium Dichromate is industrially manufactured by the reaction of potassium chloride solution (KCl) with sodium dichromate (Na₂Cr₂O₇) as shown:

Na₂Cr₂O₇ + 2 KCl → K₂Cr₂O₇ + 2 NaCl

Potassium Dichromate can also be obtained from its related compound, potassium chromate (K₂CrO₄), which reacts with acids to give the dichromate salt.

Chemical Industry
Potassium Dichromate is widely used as an oxidizing agent in organic chemistry. It is also used as an analytical reagent in analytical chemistry because of its non-hygroscopic nature. It is widely used as an oxidizing agent in organic chemistry, and is used to manufacture chrome oxides, potassium chromate, chrome yellow pigment, chromic potassium sulfate.

Construction Industry
Potassium dichromate is considered as an important ingredient for the production of cement. Potassium dichromate has the unique properties such as to improve the density & texture of cement.

Cleaning Agent
Potassium dichromate is used for the preparation of chromic acid for cleaning agents employed in glassware materials.

Leather Industry
It is widely as a precursor to potassium chrome alum, which is used in leather tanning.

Photography
Potassium dichromate with strong mineral acid is used as a photographic screen printing. It is widely used in photography as it has the property of tanning animal proteins when exposed to strong light. Potassium dichromate solution with sulphuric acid solution is used to produce a reversal negative film.

Others
Potassium dichromate is used to stain certain types of woods and prepare waxes, paints and glues.