Basic Chromium(III) Carboxylates: Reactions of Chromium(III) Chloride with Some Carboxylic Acids

Abstract

Abstract Anhydrous chromium(III) chloride reacts with pure carboxylic acids (RCOOH where R = CH3, C2H5, n-C3H7, CH2Cl, CHCl2 and CCl3) to give basic trinuclear chromium(III) carboxylates of the general formula [Cr3O(OOCR)6]+Cl-. The reaction of CrCl3 with acetic anhydride, however, gives a partially substituted product, CrCl(OOCCH3)2.The formation of basic carboxylates has been attributed to the strong affinity of Cr3+ ions for water that they can abstract it even from pure carboxylic acids. Their addition compounds with ammonia have also been prepared. The compounds have been characterized by their elemental analyses, IR, molar conductance and magnetic measurements.