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.
ElementsReactant sideProduct side
K21
Cr11
O41
H12
Br16
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.