A chromate ester is an ester of chromic acid that has the following general structural formula.
R = alkyl group
Chromate esters are generated by the reaction of alcohols with chromic acid.
eg:
A chromate ester derived from an alcohol containing one or more alpha hydrogens is unstable in the presence of basic species, such as water; the reaction between the chromate ester and the base yields an aldehyde or ketone as the organic product.
eg:
