Anhydrous chromous acetate revisited – A very simple synthetic route

We report the synthesis of crystalline anhydrous dichromium(II) tetraacetate by a one-pot reaction in which chromium metal reacts in the open with a mixture that comprises acetic acid, acetic anhydride and hydrobromic acid. This new route is much superior to all previous multi-step synthetic procedures that involve strict anaerobic conditions or expensive and flammable starting materials.