13 Facts on HBr + K2CrO4: What, How To Balance & FAQs

Hydrogen Bromide and Potassium Chromate are inorganic compounds with chemical formulas, HBr and K2CrO4, respectively. Let us explore more about the reaction between HBr and K2CrO4.

K2CrO4 is a yellow amorphous salt. HBr is a colorless, corrosive oily liquid. K2CrO4 interacts with acids easily due to its basic nature.

In this article, we will learn about a few properties based on the reaction HBr + K2CrO4, like the type of reaction, the product formed, buffer solution, conjugate pairs etc.

What is the product of HBR and K2CrO4?

Chromic Bromide (CrBr3) , Dibromine (Br2), Water (H2O) and Potassium Bromide (KBr) are the products of the reaction between HBr and K2CrO4.

K2CrO4 + HBr → CrBr3 + Br2 + H2O + KBr

What type of reaction is HBr + K2CrO4?

HBr + K2CrO4 is classified as an acid-base reaction, as an acid neutralizes a strong base to produce salt and water.

How to balance HBr + K2CrO4?

The equation for the reaction between HBr + K2CrO4 is balanced using the following steps.

  • The general equation is K2CrO4 + HBr → CrBr3 + Br2 + H2O + KBr
  • Calculate the number of moles of each element involved in both the reactant and product side of the reaction.
Elements Reactant side Product side
K 2 1
Cr 1 1
O 4 1
H 1 2
Br 1 6
Number of moles on each side of the reaction
  • The number of chromium ions can be balanced by adding 2 to K2CrO4 on the reactant side and CrBr3 on the product side.
  • To balance HBr on the reactant side we add 16, whereas we add 3 to Br3, 8 to H2O and 4 to KBr on the product side.
  • Thus, the overall balanced reaction is given by – 

2K2CrO4 + 16HBr → 2CrBr3 + 3Br2 + 8H2O + 4KBr

HBr + K2CrO4 net ionic equation

The net ionic equation between K2CrO4 + HBr is –

K+ (aq) + Cr6+ (aq) + HBr (aq)  =  CrBr(s)  + Br2 (g) + H2O (l) + KBr (s)

The following steps are followed to derive the net ionic equation:

  • Write the balanced molecular equation along with the physical state.
  • 2K2CrO4 + 16HBr → 2CrBr3 + 3Br2 + 8H2O + 4KBr
  • Now, write the ionic form of each of the substances existing in aqueous form and capable of complete dissociation in water. HBr  is a weak acid that does not completely dissociate into ions in aqueous form. Hence, the complete ionic equation is –
  • K+ (aq) + Cr6+ (aq) + HBr (aq)  =  CrBr(s)  + Br2 (g) + H2O (l) + KBr (s)
  • We find that the complete ionic equation is identical to the net ionic equation.
  • K+ (aq) + Cr6+ (aq) + HBr (aq)  =  CrBr(s)  + Br2 (g) + H2O (l) + KBr (s)

HBr + K2CrO4  conjugate pairs

The conjugate pairs of HBr and K2CrO4 are as follows:

  • Bris the conjugate base of HBr.
  • Conjugate acid of potassium chromate is chromic acid.

HBr + K2CrO4 intermolecular forces

The intermolecular forces of HBr and K2CrO4 are as follows:

  • Dipole-dipole interactions and well as dispersion forces are observed in HBr. This is because HBr is a polar molecule due to the difference in the electronegativity of the H and Br atoms.
  • However, for K2CrO4, the major intermolecular force is the ionic bond between the potassium and chromate ions.

HBr + K2CrO4  reaction enthalpy

The enthalpy of the reaction for HBr + K2CrO4 is –393.67 kJ/ mol.

Is HBr + K2CrO4 a buffer solution?

HBr + K2CrO4 is a buffer solution. It is an indirect acidic buffer solution, as the reaction constitutes a weak acid and potassium chromate salt, formed from a weak acid and a strong base.

Is HBr + K2CrO4 a complete reaction?

HBr + K2CrO4 is not a complete reaction, as HBr, a weak halide, remains in the solution due to its poor dissociation.

Is HBR + K2CRO4 an exothermic or endothermic reaction?

HBr + K2CrO4 is an exothermic reaction as the reaction enthalpy is negative.

Is HBr + K2CrO4 a redox reaction?

The reaction between HBr + K2CrO4 is an example of a redox reaction. This is because the the oxidation states of both chromium and potassium are changing on moving from the reactant to product side. 

Is HBr + K2CrO4 an irreversible reaction?

HBr + K2CrO4 is an irreversible reaction because of the formation of chromium bromate precipitate, which is insoluble in water.

Is HBr + K2CrO4 a displacement reaction?

The reaction between HBr + K2CrO4 is not a displacement reaction because the number of reactants is not equal to the number of products.

Conclusion

Potassium Chromate and Hydrogen Bromide react to yield Chromium Bromate as a product. This reaction is a very popular displacement reaction. Also, CrBr3 is widely used in organic synthesis as catalyst to polymerize olefins.