Copper(II) chloride

Copper(II) chloride

Anhydrous

Anhydrous

Dihydrate
Names
Other names
Cupric chloride
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChEBI
ChEMBL
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.028.373
RTECS number
  • GL7000000
UNII
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
SMILES
  • 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
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)
NFPA 704 four-colored diamondHealth 2: Intense or continued but not chronic exposure could cause temporary incapacitation or possible residual injury. E.g. chloroformFlammability 0: Will not burn. E.g. waterInstability 1: Normally stable, but can become unstable at elevated temperatures and pressures. E.g. calciumSpecial hazards (white): no code
2
0
1
Flash point Non-flammable
NIOSH (US health exposure limits):
PEL (Permissible)
TWA 1 mg/m3 (as Cu)[1]
REL (Recommended)
TWA 1 mg/m3 (as Cu)[1]
IDLH (Immediate danger)
TWA 100 mg/m3 (as Cu)[1]
Safety data sheet (SDS) Fisher Scientific
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

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.

Properties

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

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

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

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

References

  1. 1 2 3 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. Archived from the original on 2016-03-05. Retrieved 2016-02-24.
  5. ↑ "Copper FAQ - Dartmouth Toxic Metals Superfund Research Program". www.dartmouth.edu.