CHROMIC ACID TEST

Chromic acid test is used to measure alcohols and aldehydes. It is also a strong
oxidizing agent, aldehyde, benzaldehyde and acetaldehyde can be oxidized to
carboxylic acids by the chromic acid. It uses the Jones reactant to oxidize alcohols,
aldehydes and reduce the chromic acid which results to color change. While the
jones reactant that is used by the test is a mixture of chromium trioxide, sulphuric
acid, and acetone.

The said test begins with a source of chromic acid and has an oxidation state of
6+. The chromic acid actually has several oxygens surrounding the chromium.
These oxygen surrounding the chromium are able to act as the source of
oxidation for the aldehyde or alcohol. Due to chromium losing an oxygen, it is
reduced to an oxidation state of 3+.

When chromium has an oxidation state of 6+, its outcome will be an orange color
and when it has an oxidation state of 3+, its outcome will be green-blue color.

For the result to be known as positive, the color should be green. It is because
when compound that are easily oxidized causes the solution to turn green
because of the formation of the Cr3+ ion. Acetaldehyde was expected to produce
positive result because they easily are oxidized by chromic acids. Benzaldehyde
also had a positive result which is green.
References:

Chromic Acid Test. (n.d.). Retrieved from

https://archives.library.illinois.edu/erec/University%20Archives/1505050/Organic
/OrgLab/QualTests/QualTCr)3.htm

Chromic Acid Test for Aldehydes & Alcohol Mechanism. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://study.com/academy/lesson/chromic-acid-test-for-aldehydes-alcohols-
mechanism.html

Results a chromic acid test sample observations. (n.d.). Retrieve from

https://www.coursehero.com/file/p1eb8gd/Results-a-Chromic-acid-test-Sample-
Observations-Conclusion-Acetaldehyde-Green/