It can also be prepared directly by exposing chromium trioxide to anhydrous hydrogen chloride gas.
No similar compound is formed in the presence of fluoride, bromide, iodide, or cyanide, making this test specific to chlorides.
Chromyl chloride oxidizes internal alkenes to alpha-chloroketones or related derivatives.
[5] It will also attack benzylic methyl groups to give aldehydes via the Étard reaction.
Chromyl chloride is severely corrosive and easily burns the skin and eyes.