K2Cr2O7 + 6 KI + 7 H2SO4 → 4 K2SO4 + Cr2(SO4)3 + 3 I2 + 7 H2O

This is an oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction:

6 I-I - 6 e- → 6 I0 (oxidation)

2 CrVI + 6 e- → 2 CrIII (reduction)

KI is a reducing agent, K2Cr2O7 is an oxidizing agent.

Reactants:

  • K2Cr2O7 – Potassium dichromate(VI) source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02
    • Other names: Potassium dichromate source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04, Chromium potassium oxide source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02, Dipotassium dichromium heptaoxide source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02
    • Appearance: Red-orange crystalline solid source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27; Orange-to-red crystals source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04
  • KI
    • Names: Potassium iodide source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02, KI source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02, Thyrosafe source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02
  • H2SO4 – Sulfuric acid source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-07source: NIOSH NPG, accessed: 2019-09-02
    • Other names: Oil of vitriol source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-07source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04source: NIOSH NPG, accessed: 2019-09-02, Sulfuric acid, concentrated (> 51% and < 100%) source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04, H2SO4 source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-07
    • Appearance: Clear, colorless liquid source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27; Odourless colourless oily hygroscopic liquid source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04; Colorless to dark-brown, oily, odorless liquid. [Note: Pure compound is a solid below 51°F. Often used in an aqueous solution.] source: NIOSH NPG, accessed: 2019-09-02

Products:

  • K2SO4
    • Names: Potassium sulfate source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04, Potassium sulphate source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02, Dipotassium sulfate source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04
    • Appearance: White solid source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27; Colourless-to-white crystals source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04
  • Cr2(SO4)3 – Chromium(III) sulfate source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02
    • Other names: Basic chromium sulfate source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27, Chromic sulfate source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27
    • Appearance: Reddish-brown crystals (anhydrous), purple crystals (hydrated) source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27
  • I2
    • Names: Iodine source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04source: NIOSH NPG, accessed: 2019-09-02, Jod source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04, Iode source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04
    • Appearance: Bluish black or dark purple crystals with pungent odour source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04; Violet solid with a sharp, characteristic odor. source: NIOSH NPG, accessed: 2019-09-02
  • H2O – Water, oxidane source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27
    • Other names: Water (H2O) source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27, Hydrogen hydroxide (HH or HOH) source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27, Hydrogen oxide source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27
    • Appearance: White crystalline solid, almost colorless liquid with a hint of blue, colorless gas source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27