Dioxobis(Carboxylato)Chromium(VI) and Oxo(Carboxylato)Chromium(III): Reactions of CrO3 with Carboxylic Acid Anhydrides

Reactions of carboxylic acid anhydrides [(RCO)2O where R = CH3, C2H5, n-C3H7 and CHCl2] with excess of chromium (VI) oxide at low temperatures yield chromyl carboxylates, CrO2(OOCR)2. These compounds are non-conducting in polar organic solvents. IR spectra suggest the presence of both unidentate and bidentate carboxylato groups and discrete Cr = 0 units. The 1H NMR spectra show the presence of only one type of carboxylato group. Reactions of carboxylic acid anhydrides with CrO3 in equimolar ratio yield reduced chromium(III) com pounds o f the type CrO(OOCR) at room temperature. Their millimolar solutions in C6H5NO2, CH3NO2 and CH3CN are non-conducting. IR spectra, magnetic susceptibility and some other properties have been investigated. Both types of compounds are polymeric in nature having covalent structures.