Which oxide CrO3 or CrO is more basic in water. Why

Answer 1

CrO is more basic in water compared to CrO3.

In water, CrO3 (chromium trioxide) acts as an acidic oxide and forms chromic acid, which is a strong acid (H2CrO4):

CrO3 + H2O → H2CrO4

On the other hand, CrO (chromium(II) oxide) acts as a basic oxide and reacts with water to form chromate ions (CrO4^2-):

CrO + H2O → CrO4^2- + 2H+

Therefore, CrO is more basic because it leads to the production of OH- ions (through protonation of water), which indicates basicity.