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Why is chromic acid used to wash apparatus?

Cars and Trucks  Follow

As an organic chemist I used a lot of it. When carrying out organic syntheses it is common to find that the bottom of the flask has an intractable tarry substance after the reaction. Chromic acid (actually chromium trioxide in sulfuric acid, so it is a mixed acid solution) is a very powerful oxidant which converts the tar into alcohols and carboxylic acids which are much more water soluble.

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Christopher Imoe  Follow

It is a strong oxidizing agent. Oxidize oilly mater due to grease applied at the stopcock of burettes as lubricant and from other sources. It oxidizes matter that is not washable with water by oxidizing it and reduced itself from Cr(VI) to Cr(III). After cleaning with chromic acid you have to wash with plenty of water.

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