Solution
Core Logic
The reaction sequence for the chromyl chloride test is:
Cl^- + K₂Cr₂O₇ + H₂SO₄ arrow CrO₂Cl₂The chromyl chloride gas is then passed through a basic medium (like NaOH) to form a yellow solution of chromate ions:
CrO₂Cl₂ Basic medium CrO₄²⁻ + Cl^-Acidification of the yellow CrO₄²⁻ solution followed by the addition of H₂O₂ and amyl alcohol yields a blue-colored organic layer due to the formation of chromium pentoxide (CrO₅).
CrO₄²⁻ [yellow solution, 1. Acidification CrO₅ (blue compound)
Step 1: Oxidation State Calculation
The structure of chromium pentoxide (CrO₅) features a distinctive "butterfly" arrangement. It contains one double-bonded oxide oxygen (O²⁻) and four peroxide oxygens (O₂²⁻). Therefore, there are 2 peroxo linkages.
Let the oxidation state of Chromium be x.
x + 1(-2) + 4(-1) = 0x - 2 - 4 = 0 x = +6
Thus, the oxidation state of Cr in CrO₅ is +6.
Pattern Recognition
A classic oxidation state trap. Calculating simply via formula CrO₅ yields x - 10 = 0 x = +10, which is impossible for Chromium (max +6). Whenever calculation exceeds the maximum group valency, peroxide bonds are present.
Chapter Mix
Class 12 Chemistry: d and f Block Elements Class 11 Chemistry: Redox Reactions