Base hydrolysis of [Cr(ox) 2 (pda)] 3-(where pda is N,O-bonded 2,4-and 2,5-pyridinedicarboxylic acid dianion) causes successive ligand dissociation and leads to formation of a mixture of oligomeric chromium(III) species, known as chromates(III). The main reaction path proceeds through [Cr(ox)(pda)(OH) 2 ] 3-and [Cr(pda)(OH) 4 ] 3-complexes. The kinetics of the first oxalate dissociation was studied spectrophotometrically, within the lower energy d-d band region, at 0.4-1.0 M NaOH. The character of spectroscopic changes was consistent with a consecutive reaction model, where the chelate-ring opening and the one-end bonded oxalato liberation are the first and the second reaction stages. The pseudo-first order rate constants (k obs0 and k obs1 ) were calculated using SPECFIT software for an A ? B ? C reaction pattern. Additionally, kinetics of base hydrolysis of [Cr(ox) 3 ] 3-were studied. The calculated rate constants were independent of [OH 2 ]. Kinetic parameters for the chelate-ring opening and the first oxalate dissociation were determined. Effect of the [Cr(ox) 2 (pda)] 3-and [Cr(2,4-pda) 3 ] 3-complexes on 3T3 fibroblasts proliferation was studied. The results manifested low cytotoxicity of these complexes, which makes them promising candidates for dietary supplements.