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Experiment 28
Chemistry of Copper
Michael Watson

The reaction of copper with nitric acid is spontaneous, producing nitrogen

dioxide gas and copper(II) ion.

• To observe the chemical properties of copper through a series of chemical reactions Objectives
• To use several separation and recovery techniques to isolate the copper compounds
from solution
• To determine percent recovery of copper through a cycle of reactions

The following techniques are used in the Experimental Procedure: Techniques

Copper is an element that is chemically combined into a variety of compounds in Introduction

nature, most commonly in the form of a sulfide, as in chalcocite, Cu2S, and chalcopy-
rite, FeCuS2. Copper metal is an excellent conductor of heat and electricity and is an
alloying element in bronze and brass. Copper is a soft metal with a characteristic Alloying element: an element of low
bright orange-brown color, which we often call copper color (Figure 28.1). Copper is percent composition in a mixture of
metals, the result of which produces
relatively inert chemically; it does not readily air oxidize (react with oxygen in air) and an alloy with unique, desirable
is not attacked by simple inorganic acids such as sulfuric and hydrochloric acids. Cop- properties
per metal that does oxidize in air is called patina.
Copper(II) ion forms a number of very colorful compounds; most often, these
compounds are blue or blue-green, although other colors are found, depending on the
copper(II) compound.
We will observe several chemical and physical properties of copper through a
cyclical sequence of redox, precipitation, decomposition, and acid–base reactions that Jo A. Beran/Trey Hernandez
produce a number of colorful compounds.
Starting with metallic copper at the top of the cycle, the sequence of products
formed in this experiment is shown in the diagram:

Cu

CuSO4 Cu(NO3)2
Figure 28.1 The penny is
made of zinc (bottom) with a thin
CuO Cu(OH)2 copper coating (top).

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Dissolution of Copper Copper reacts readily with strong oxidizing agents (substances that readily remove
Metal electrons from other substances—i.e., Cu l Cu2+ + 2e–). In this experiment, aqueous
nitric acid, HNO3, oxidizes copper metal to the copper(II) ion (opening photo):
Cu(s) + 4 HNO3(aq) —› Cu(NO3)2(aq) + 2 NO2(g) + 2 H2O(l) (28.1)
The products of this reaction are copper(II) nitrate, Cu(NO3)2 (a water-soluble salt
that produces a blue solution), and nitrogen dioxide, NO2 (a dense, toxic, red-brown gas).
The solution remains acidic because an excess of nitric acid is used for the reaction.
The net ionic equation for the reaction is
Cu(s) + 4 H+(aq) + 2 NO3–(aq) —› Cu2+(aq) + 2 NO2(g) + 2 H2O(l) (28.2)

Precipitation of Copper(II)
Hydroxide from Solution
Appendix E
For Part B of the Experimental Procedure, the solution containing the soluble Cu(NO3)2
is treated with sodium hydroxide, NaOH, a base. Copper(II) hydroxide, Cu(OH)2, a
light-blue solid, precipitates from the solution:
Cu(NO3)2(aq)+ 2 NaOH(aq) —› Cu(OH)2(s) + 2 NaNO3(aq) (28.3)
Sodium nitrate, NaNO3, is a colorless salt that remains dissolved in solution as Na+(aq)
and NO3–(aq)—so these two species are spectator ions.
The net ionic equation for the reaction is
Cu2+(aq) + 2 OH–(aq) —› Cu(OH)2(s) (28.4)

Conversion of Copper(II) Heat applied to solid copper(II) hydroxide causes black, insoluble copper(II) oxide,
Hydroxide to a Second CuO, to form and H2O to vaporize:
Insoluble Salt ∆
Cu(OH)2(s) —› CuO(s) + H2O(g) (28.5)

Dissolution of Copper(II) Copper(II) oxide reacts readily with the addition of aqueous sulfuric acid, H2SO4,
Oxide forming a sky-blue solution as a result of the formation of the water-soluble salt, cop-
per(II) sulfate, CuSO4:
CuO(s) + H2SO4(aq) —› CuSO4(aq) + H2O(l) (28.6)

The net ionic equation for the reaction is

CuO(s) + 2 H+(aq) —› Cu2+(aq) + H2O(l) (28.7)

Reformation of Copper Finally, the addition of magnesium metal, Mg, to the copper(II) sulfate solution com-
Metal pletes the copper cycle.
In this reaction, magnesium serves as a reducing agent (a substance that donates
electrons to another substance—i.e., Cu2+ + 2e– l Cu). Magnesium, being a more ac-
tive metal than copper, reduces copper(II) ion from the copper(II) sulfate solution to
copper metal and forms water-soluble magnesium sulfate, MgSO4, completing the
chemistry of copper cycle.
CuSO4(aq) + Mg(s) —› Cu(s) + MgSO4(aq) (28.8)

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The net ionic equation for the reaction is

Cu2+(aq) + Mg(s) —› Cu(s) + Mg2+(aq) (28.9)
Magnesium metal also reacts with sulfuric acid. Therefore, when magnesium metal
is added to the acidic copper(II) sulfate solution, a second reaction occurs that produces
hydrogen gas, H2, and additional magnesium sulfate:
Mg(s) + H2SO4(aq) —› H2(g) + MgSO4(aq) (28.10)
The net ionic equation for this reaction is
Mg(s) + 2 H+(aq) —› Mg2+(aq) + H2(g) (28.11)
Therefore hydrogen gas bubbles are observed during this reaction step of the cycle.
This reaction also removes any excess magnesium metal that remains after the copper
metal has been recovered.

Procedure Overview: Copper metal is successively treated with nitric acid, sodium Experimental
hydroxide, heat, sulfuric acid, and magnesium in a cycle of chemical reactions to Procedure
regenerate the copper metal. The percent recovery is determined.
You will need to obtain instructor approval after each step in the Experimental
Procedure. Perform the experiment with a partner. At each circled superscript 1–5 in
the procedure, stop and record your observation on the Report Sheet. Discuss your
observations with your lab partner and your instructor.
Be aware of the number of significant figures when recording data in Parts A.1 and E.3.

Perform the series of reactions in a test tube that is compatible with your laboratory A. Copper Metal to
centrifuge. Three trials are suggested. Consult with your laboratory instructor. Copper(II) Nitrate
1. Prepare the copper metal sample. Obtain a less than 0.02-g sample of Cu wool.
Measure the mass (±0.001 g) of the selected test tube.1 Roll and place the Cu wool
into the test tube and then measure and record the mass of the test tube and copper
sample. Repeat for Trails 2 and 3.
Data Analysis, A
2. Reaction of the copper metal. Hold the test tube with a test tube clamp for the
remainder of the experiment—do not use your fingers.
Perform this step in the fume hood because of the evolution of toxic NO2(g).
(Caution: Do not inhale the evolved nitrogen dioxide gas.) Using a dropper bottle
or a dropper pipet, add drops (≤10 drops) of conc HNO3 to the copper sample until
no further evidence of a chemical reaction is observed. Do not add an excess!
(Caution: Concentrated HNO3 is very corrosive. Do not allow it to touch the skin.)
At this point, the Cu metal has completely reacted. What is the color of the
gas? Add 10 drops of deionized water. Show the resulting solution to your labora-
tory instructor for approval 1 and save the solution for Part B.

1. Preparation of copper(II) hydroxide. Agitate or continuously stir with a stirring B. Copper(II) Nitrate to
rod the solution from Part A.2 while slowly adding ~10 drops of 6 M NaOH. (Cau- Copper(II) Hydroxide
tion: Wash with water immediately if the NaOH comes into contact with the skin.)
This forms the Cu(OH)2 precipitate. After the first 10 drops are added, add ~10
more drops of 6 M NaOH. Using a wash bottle and deionized water, rinse the stir-
ring rod, allowing the rinse water to go into the test tube. Centrifuge the solution
for 30 seconds (ask your instructor for instructions in operating the centrifuge).
2. A complete precipitation. Test for a complete precipitation of Cu(OH)2 by adding
2–3 more drops of 6 M NaOH to the supernatant. If additional precipitate forms, Supernatant: the clear solution in the
add 4–5 more drops and again centrifuge. Repeat the test until no further formation of test tube
the Cu(OH)2 occurs. The solution should appear colorless, and the precipitate should
be light blue. Obtain your laboratory instructor’s approval 2 and save for Part C.

1
Consult with your instructor.

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C. Copper(II) 1. Heat the sample. Decant (pour off) and discard the supernatant from the test tube.
Hydroxide to Carefully (very carefully!) and slowly heat the test tube with a cool flame2 until
Copper(II) Oxide the Cu(OH)2 precipitate changes color. Read footnote 2! You need not heat the
contents to dryness. Avoid ejection (and projection) of your copper compound by
Cool flame: an adjusted Bunsen flame not holding the test tube over the direct flame for a prolonged period of time. If the
having a low supply of fuel contents of the test tube are ejected, you will need to restart the Experimental Pro-
cedure at Part A. Obtain your instructor’s approval 3 and save for Part D.

D. Copper(II) Oxide to 1. Dissolution of copper(II) oxide. To the solid CuO in the test tube from Part C,
Copper(II) Sulfate add drops of 6 M H2SO4 with agitation until the CuO dissolves (≤20 drops, 1 mL).
(Caution: Do not let sulfuric acid touch the skin!) (Slight heating may be neces-
sary, but be careful not to eject the contents!) The solution’s sky-blue appearance
is evidence of the presence of soluble CuSO4. Obtain your instructor’s approval 4
and save for Part E.

E. Copper(II) Sulfate to 1. Formation of copper metal.

Copper Metal a. Using fine steel wool (or sandpaper), polish about 5–7 cm of Mg ribbon. Cut or
tear the ribbon into 1-cm lengths. Dilute the solution from Part D with deion-
ized water until the test tube is half-full. Add a 1-cm Mg strip to the solution.
When the Mg strip has reacted (disappeared), add a second Mg strip and so on
until the blue has disappeared from the solution. Describe what is happening.
What is the coating on the magnesium ribbon? What is the gas? 5
b. If a white, milky precipitate forms [from the formation of magnesium hydrox-
ide, Mg(OH)2], add several drops of 6 M H2SO4. (Caution: Avoid skin
contact.) Break up the red-brown Cu coating on the Mg ribbon with a stirring
rod. After breaking up the Cu metal and after adding several pieces of Mg rib-
bon, centrifuge the mixture.
2. Washing.
Dry Lab 4, Part C, a. Add drops of 6 M H2SO4 to react any excess Mg ribbon. (Caution: Avoid skin con-
page 410, describes tact.) Do this by breaking up the Cu metal with a stirring rod to expose the Mg rib-
the procedure for
washing a precipitate. bon, coated with Cu metal, to the H2SO4 solution. Centrifuge for 30 seconds,
decant, and discard the supernatant. Be careful to keep the Cu metal in the test tube.
b. Wash the red-brown Cu metal with three 1-mL portions of deionized water.3 Rinse
the stirring rod in the test tube. Centrifuge, decant, and discard each washing.
3. Determination of the mass of recovered copper. Very gently dry the Cu in the test
tube over a cool flame (see footnote 2). Allow the tube and contents to cool and
determine the mass (±0.001 g). Repeat the heating procedure until a reproducibility
in mass of ±1% is obtained. Record the mass of Cu recovered in the experiment.

Disposal: All solutions used in the procedure can be disposed of in the

Waste Salts container. Dispose of the copper metal in the Waste Solids con-
tainer. Check with your instructor.

CLEANUP: Rinse all glassware twice with tap water and twice with deionized
water. Discard all rinses in the sink.

The Next Step Many alloys other than coinage alloys have varying amounts of copper—brass, for
example. What are some other methods for determining the amount of copper in a
sample—gravimetrically, spectrophotometrically (see Experiment 35), or volumetrically
(see Experiments 23, 24, or 29—also copper(II) ion reacts with iodide ion to produce I3–)?
2
From Technique 13C, “If you can feel the heat of the flame with the hand holding the test tube
clamp, the flame is too hot!”
3
Wash the Cu metal by adding water, stirring the mixture with a stirring rod, and allowing the mix-
ture to settle.

326 Chemistry of Copper