I have a chemistry test that involves some practical work and was just wondering how I could make copper II chloride (CuCL2) with only these chemicals-Hydrochloric acid (HCL), sulphuric acid (H2SO4), copper (Cu), copperoxide (CuO) and copper carbonate (CuCO3). So, how would I make Copper 2 Chloride with these ingredients?
Trevor's method will certainly work well. You can also treat solid copper(II) oxide with hydrochloric acid to make a solution of copper(II) chloride. CuO(s) + 2HCl(aq) --> CuCl2(aq) + H2O(l) Evaporate the solution in a hood to drive off the excess HCl gas and the water, forming crystals of hydrated copper(II) chloride. ================= Someone may suggest copper metal and sulfuric acid, but for that reaction to occur the H2SO4 must be hot and concentrated, otherwise it goes too slowly to even be noticeable. Cu(s) + 2H2SO4(conc) --> CuSO4(aq) + SO2(g) + 2H2O(l) But with this reaction you can see an obvious problem. There is a sulfate ion in solution, but no chloride. You would need to add chloride in the form of HCl, but there is no way with what you have to get rid of the sulfate ion. ================= What about adding HCl directly to copper metal? Some metals react with HCl to produce the metal ion and give off hydrogen gas. That won't happen with Cu and HCl. We can predict that based on the relative positions of Cu and H in the activity series. But interestingly, copper metal left in concentrated HCl solution will dissolve over time giving a dark green solution consisting of some blue hydrated copper ions and yellow [CuCl4]^2-. This will occur best if there is some tarnish on the copper to get the reaction going.
This is a neutralization reaction in which copper(II) carbonate reacts with hydrochloric acid to produce the salt copper(II) chloride and water and carbon dioxide. Molecular equation: CuCO3(s) + 2HCl(aq) → CuCl2(aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g)
How To Make Copper Chloride
