Copper(II) chloride

chemical compound

Copper(II) chloride, also known as cupric chloride, is a chemical compound. Its chemical formula is CuCl2. It contains copper in its +2 oxidation state. It also contains two chloride ions.

Copper(II) chloride
Names
Other names
Cupric chloride
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChEBI
ChEMBL
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.028.373
RTECS number
  • GL7000000
UNII
  • Cl[Cu]Cl
  • [Cu+2].[Cl-].[Cl-]
Properties
CuCl2
Molar mass 134.45 g/mol (anhydrous)
170.48 g/mol (dihydrate)
Appearance yellow-brown solid (anhydrous)
blue-green solid (dihydrate)
Odor odorless
Density 3.386 g/cm3 (anhydrous)
2.51 g/cm3 (dihydrate)
Melting point 498 °C (928 °F; 771 K) (anhydrous)
100 °C (dehydration of dihydrate)
Boiling point 993 °C (1,819 °F; 1,266 K) (anhydrous, decomposes)
70.6 g/100 mL (0 °C)
75.7 g/100 mL (25 °C)
107.9 g/100 mL (100 °C)
Solubility methanol:
68 g/100 mL (15 °C)


ethanol:
53 g/100 mL (15 °C)
soluble in acetone

+1080·10−6 cm3/mol
Structure
distorted CdI2 structure
Octahedral
Hazards
EU classification Not listed
NFPA 704

0
2
1
 
Flash point Non-flammable
U.S. Permissible
exposure limit (PEL)
TWA 1 mg/m3 (as Cu)[1]
Related compounds
Other anions Copper(II) fluoride
Copper(II) bromide
Other cations Copper(I) chloride
Silver chloride
Gold(III) chloride
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references

Properties change

Copper(II) chloride is light brown when anhydrous. It is green when hydrated. It is a weak oxidizing agent. It reacts with aluminium foil to make hydrogen, copper(I) oxide, and aluminium chloride. This is used in school demonstrations. It releases chlorine and turns into copper(I) chloride when heated very hot. It reacts with sodium hydroxide to make copper(II) hydroxide. Copper(II) chloride reacts with metals to make metal chlorides and copper. It puts out blue flames if it is heated in a flame. It reacts with sulfur dioxide to make copper(I) chloride. It dissolves in water to make a blue solution. When more chloride is added, it turns green, then yellow.[2]

Preparation change

 
Crystals of copper(II) chloride in a container

It is made by reacting copper with chlorine. It can also be made by reacting copper(II) hydroxide, copper(II) oxide, or copper(II) carbonate with hydrochloric acid and from pure copper and from 1:1 solution of hydrogen peroxide and hydrochloric acid where copper first get oxidized to CuO from H2O2 and then reacts with HCl to form CuCl2, reaction goes like this:

Cu + H2O2 → CuO + H2O

CuO + 2HCl → CuCl2 + H2O

[3]

Uses change

Copper(II) chloride is used to make fungicides. It is also used to make organic compounds. It is also used to make acetaldehyde from ethane. [4]

Safety change

It is toxic, with toxicity similar to copper sulfate It is therefore harmful. [5]

Related pages change

References change

  1. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. "#0150". National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
  2. "Amazing Rust.com - CuCl2". www.amazingrust.com. Archived from the original on 2019-06-26. Retrieved 2019-02-14.
  3. "Types of Reactions". www.wiredchemist.com.
  4. "USES and APPLICATIONS of CHEMICALS elements compounds mixtures formulations". www.docbrown.info.
  5. "Copper FAQ - Dartmouth Toxic Metals Superfund Research Program". www.dartmouth.edu.