From: oertel (photo.chemistry@t-online.de)
Date: 06/02/00-05:37:06 AM Z
Hi Sandy,
the reaction which takes part is the following:
Dichromate + 3 Ethanol + 8 H+ => 2 Cr(3+) + 3 Acetaldehyde + 7 Water
The green salt(s) forming is a Chromium (III)-salt, maybe chloride or sulfate or
whatever is in your solution. Other alcoholes or organic matter will also be
oxidized. Please note the 8 H+ which means you need an acid environment for the
reaction. This reaction is an old test the police used for alcohole test of your
breath before the electronic era. You have to blow through a glas column filled
with dichromate and some sulfuric acid. With alcohol in your breath the orange
color turns green to same extent und your driving license is gone :-). As you
see in the formula it doesn't matter what dichromate you use.
Hope this helps you.
Stefan
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : 07/14/00-09:46:44 AM Z CST