natriumchromaat

Natriumchromaat, or sodium chromate, is an inorganic salt with the chemical formula Na2CrO4. It consists of two sodium ions and the chromate anion CrO4^2−, in which chromium is in the +6 oxidation state. The solid is typically yellow and crystalline, highly soluble in water, and forms basic chromate salts in alkaline conditions.

Industrial production of sodium chromate is usually by oxidation of sodium dichromate in alkaline media or by processing chromium-containing raw materials under oxidizing conditions to yield chromate salts. It is a widely used reagent due to its strong oxidizing properties and solubility.

Applications of sodium chromate include its use as an oxidizing agent in organic synthesis, as a pigment and corrosion inhibitor in paints and coatings, and as a precursor to other chromium(VI) reagents such as sodium dichromate. It is also employed in some electroplating processes and in certain qualitative inorganic analysis procedures.

Safety and environmental notes are important for sodium chromate. Hexavalent chromium compounds are toxic and carcinogenic, with exposure posing risks to the skin, lungs, and overall health. They can be hazardous to the environment, particularly to water sources. Handling requires appropriate protective equipment, good ventilation, and disposal as hazardous waste in accordance with regulatory guidelines. In many regions, the use of chromium(VI) compounds is restricted or replaced by safer alternatives where feasible.