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chromic acid

chemical compound, H2CrO4

Quick Summary

Chromic acid, with the chemical formula H₂CrO₄, is an acid that is known primarily in solution and in the form of its salts. It is analogous to sulfuric acid.1

Chromic acid is closely related to chromium trioxide (CrO₃), also known as chromic anhydride. This is a brilliant red crystalline substance used in chromium plating and as an oxidizing agent. Chromium trioxide is typically produced by treating sodium dichromate with sulfuric acid.2

Chromium itself is a hard, steel-gray metal discovered in 1797. It is known for its colorful compounds, which is how it got its name from the Greek word for "color". Chromium is used in alloys to enhance strength and corrosion resistance, and it is found in stainless steel.3

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3 Britannica Sources
  1. chromic acid
  2. chromium
  3. chromic anhydride

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