The basic steps involved in the conversion of $\ce{FeCr2O4 -> Cr}$ involves,
$$\ce{FeCr2O4 ->[NaOH / air, \Delta] Na_2CrO4 ->[C, \Delta] CrO3 ->[Al, \Delta] Cr}$$
Basically, I'm having problems in learning so large amount of inorganic reactions, so I thought it would be easy to learn the mechanism behind these reactions, just like we do in organic chemistry.
Therefore, I'm keen to know the mechanism behind first conversion (i.e., from $\ce{FeCr2O4 -> Na_2CrO4}$). I've already tried to search for this, but found nothing related.
My attempt
I know some basic sets of inorganic mechanisms, as follows
- Ion-exchange
- Decomposition
- Water-addition
- Redox
- Complex reaction
From the above listed, I don't think it would be ion-exchange (bcoz, $\ce{FeCr2O4 -> FeCr+ + CrO4-}$ is very unlikely to happen), water-addition or complex reaction. I guess it could be decomposition or redox, but I'm not sure on the "bond-movement" mechanism part.