Discovery

Discovered in 1797 by
N.-L. Vauquel

Common name: Chrome

Origin of name: From

the Greek word
Chroma (means color).
 Short Historical
perspective
Early 1900s Cr became an important
ingredient in corrosion-resistant metals

1959 - Schwartz & Mertz identify Cr as

active Glucose Tolerance Factor (GTF)
 Later: chromium was thought of as a
cofactor with insulin, necessary for
normal glucose utilization
 Short Historical
perspective

1974 - Polansky shows that the active

principle of GTF is a Cr-niacin complex

1975 - Jeejeebhoy makes first report

of human Cr deficiency
Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) deficient
in Cr
 Occurance

Chromium is the 21st most abundant element in

the Earth's crust. It is present at a
concentration of approximately 100 ppm.
 Occurance

It is commonly
found in foods
such as romaine
lettuce, onions and
tomatoes.
 Extraction

Most chromium is obtained by mining the mineral

chromite.

Although it is rare, native chromium also exists.

It may be found in kimberlite pipe, where the
reducing atmosphere favors the formation of
diamond in addition to elemental chromium.
mining
 Facts
Symbol Cr and atomic number 24

Atomic weight: 51.9961 g/mol

Transition metal

25th most abundant

Steel-gray

Mostly known as the chrome plating on cars, or the shiny

metal in the bathroom
Electronic configuration
 Physical properties

Natural State Solid

Density 7.19 g cm-3
Melting Point 2180 K
Boiling Point 2944 K
Specific Heat 23.35 J mol-1K-1
Capacity
 Metallic Properties
Chromium is a blue- gray metal that can be
polished to achieve a high shine. It is
extremely lustrous and while it is relatively
hard, it is also very brittle.
 Magnetic properties

Chromium is in elemental form, it displays

paramagnetic properties.

Recently, it has been discovered that chromium

can display different magnetic properties
depending on its heating and cooling, which
affects the electrons' spinning alignments.
 Chemical reactions

Chromium is a fairly active metal.

While it does not react with water, it does

react with most acids.

It reacts with oxygen at room temperature to

form chromium (III) oxide.
 Chemical reactions

One of chromium's most important properties is

its self passivation.

While it is stable in air, chromium will oxidize to

form a thin layer that acts as a protective
coating to prevent furthercorrosion.
 uses

used in data tape, a way to store

information.

used in dyes to act as a mordant, which

will permanently fix dyes to different
fabrics.
 uses
Chrome plating is another application of
chromium's self passivation.

Small trace quantities of chromium have been

found in semiprecious

stones including: rubies,

sapphires, emeralds,

serpentine and jade

 uses

chromium is common in small quantities in

the body and has been connected to the
body's use of sugar.
Health effects

A deficiency of
chromium leads to
symptoms that are
commonly seen in
diabetics.