Chromium(III) nitrate compounds are of a limited commercial importance, finding some applications in the dyeing industry.
[2] It is common in academic laboratories for the synthesis of chromium coordination complexes.
The relatively complicated formula - [Cr(H2O)6](NO3)3•3H2O - betray a simple structure of this material.
The chromium centers are bound to six aquo ligands, and the remaining volume of the solid is occupied by three nitrate anions and three molecules of water of crystallization.
Chromium nitrate is used in the production of alkali metal-free catalysts and in pickling.