Potassium dichromate, K2Cr2O7, is a common inorganic chemical reagent, most commonly used as an oxidizing agent in various laboratory and industrial applications. As with all hexavalent chromium compounds, it is potentially harmful to health and must be handled and disposed of appropriately.
Potassium Dichromate is an odorless, orange to red, crystalline (sand-like) solid or powder. It is used as an analytical reagent and in tanning, painting, printing, electroplating and pyrotechnics.
Potassium dichromate is a weaker oxidizing agent than KMnO4 or Ce(IV). However, it is a primary standard and its solutions have long lasting stability in acid and are stable to light, to most organic matter, and to chloride ion. ... If needed, a K2Cr2O7 solution can be standardized against pure iron.
Potassium dichromate is used for preparing strong cleaning solutions for glassware and for etching materials. It also has uses in leather tanning, photographic processing, cement, and wood staining.