The Chemistry

of Copper (Cu)
Copper, with the atomic symbol Cu, is an
important and widely used element in the
periodic table. Its unique properties and
diverse applications make it an essential
part of modern life.

by Diana Savchenko
Position in the
Periodic System
Atomic Number Atomic Mass
29 63.546 g/mol

Period Group
4 11
Atomic Structure

Protons Neutrons Electrons

29 35 29
Isotopes
Copper has two stable isotopes: Copper-63
(⁶³Cu) and Copper-65 (⁶⁵Cu). Copper-63
makes up about 69% of natural copper,
while Copper-65 accounts for about 31%.
Both isotopes have various applications:

1 Copper-63 (⁶³Cu): 2 Copper-65 (⁶⁵Cu):

Used in nuclear Commonly applied
magnetic in biological and
resonance (NMR) medical research,
studies, especially particularly in
in solid-state tracing copper
physics and metabolism in the
chemistry. body and studying
enzyme
interactions.
Electronic Configuration

1 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s1 3d10 4p

3d 4s

2 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d9 4p

3d 4s

3 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s1 3d9 4p1

4p
3d 4s
Oxidation States and
Valence
Oxidation States Valence

Commonly +1 and +2, but can Copper has a valence of 1 or 2,

also reach +3 in some allowing it to form a variety of
compounds. stable compounds.
Physical Properties
Appearance Melting Point Boiling Point
Reddish-brown, 1,084.62°C 2,562°C
shiny metallic solid
Applications of Copper
1 Electrical Wiring 2 Plumbing
Copper's high electrical Copper pipes are
and thermal widely used in
conductivity make it residential and
ideal for power commercial plumbing
transmission and systems.
electronics.
3 Alloys
Copper is a key component in various alloys, such as
brass and bronze, with improved strength and
corrosion resistance.
Industrial Production
of Copper
Pyrometallurgical Process
This method involves crushing the ore, concentrating it through
flotation, and smelting. Sulfide ores are roasted to convert them
into oxides, and impurities are removed during smelting and
2CuFeS2 + 4O2 → Cu2S + 2FeO + 3SO2
converting.
Cu2S + O2 → 2Cu + SO2
Hydrometallurgical Process
The ore is treated with acid to dissolve copper, which is
then extracted using a solvent.
CuO + H2SO4 → CuSO4 + H2O

Electrolysis
Used both as the final step after pyrometallurgical processes
and for hydrometallurgical solutions. Copper is deposited on
cathodes, allowing for the production of very pure copper
(99.99%).
 Production of Cu in the Laboratory
Reduction of Copper Electrolysis Thermal Decomposition
Compounds
A common method is the reduction Copper can be produced by the Thermal Decomposition: Copper can
of copper(II) salts, such as copper(II) electrolysis of a copper(II) sulfate also be produced by heating
sulfate (CuSO₄), using a more solution. In this process, copper is copper(II) oxide (CuO) in the
reactive metal like zinc: deposited at the cathode: presence of a reducing agent like
hydrogen:
• Cathode: Pure copper is deposited t°
CuSO4 + Zn → ZnSO4 + Cu as ions gain electrons.
CuO + H2 → Cu + H2O
This displacement reaction leaves • Anode: Impure copper or a copper-
copper metal as a precipitate. containing electrode dissolves,
replenishing the copper ions in the
solution.
This method allows high-purity
copper to be obtained.
 Chemical Properties of
Copper
Reacts with moist air, gradually 4
1 Acids
becoming covered with a green
coating of basic carbonate Cu + 4HNO3(conc.) → Cu(NO3)2 + 2NO2 + 2H2O
3Cu + 8HNO3(dilute) → 3Cu(NO3)2 + 2NO + 4H2O
2Cu + O2 + H2O + CO2 → Cu(OH)2CO3
Cu + 2H2SO4(conc.) → CuSO4 + SO2 + 2H2O
2 Halogens 5 Displaces less active metals
from salt solutions
Cu + Cl2 → CuCl2 Cu + Hg(NO3)2 → Cu(NO3)2 + Hg↓
Cu + Br2 → CuBr2

3 Sulfur and selenium 6 Copper oxidation

t°
2Cu + S → Cu2S Cu + NO2 → Cu2O + NO
t°
Cu + Se → CuSe 2FeCl3 + Cu → 2FeCl2 +CuCl2
Production, Physical and
Chemical Properties of
CuH
Hydrogen Compound
Production Chemical Properties
Copper hydride is produced by Copper hydride easily
reducing copper(I) salts using decomposes and reacts with
hypophosphorous acid or acids to produce copper salts
sodium hypophosphite. It is and hydrogen gas. It is readily
typically prepared as a red oxidized in air to form copper
powder. oxide and water.
4CuSO4 + 3H3PO2 + 6H2O → 2CuH → 2Cu + H2
4CuH + 3H3PO4 + 4H2SO4 4CuH + 3O2 → 4CuO + 2H2O

Physical Properties
CuH is highly unstable, decomposing into copper and hydrogen at
room temperature. It is sensitive to air and heat.
Production, Physical and Chemical Properties
of Copper Oxides

Copper(I) Oxide Copper(II) Oxide

Red solid, produced by the controlled oxidation of Black solid, produced by direct oxidation of copper
copper or the reduction of copper(II) salts. It is used or decomposition of copper(II) salts. It is used in
in ceramics, electronics, and as a fungicide. batteries, as a pigment, and in various chemical
Production: Cu₂O can be produced by heating Production: Thermal Decomposition: CuCO3 → CuO
processes.
copper in a limited supply of 4Cu
oxygen:
+ O2 → 2Cu2O +CO2
or by using electrolytic reduction CuO can also be produced by heating copper in
Cu(OH)2 → CuO + H2O
excess oxygen:2Cu + O2 → 2CuO
Copper oxides reacts with
acids, Copper(I) oxide can be
to reduced to metallic copper Cu2O + H2 → 2Cu + H2O
Cuform copper salts and
2O + HCl → 2CuCl2 + H2O
water: when heated in the CuO + C → Cu + CO
CuO + H2SO4 → CuSO4 + H2O presence of a reducing
Production, Physical and Chemical
Decomposition
Properties of CopperCu(OH)
Hydroxide
t
→ CuO + H O 2
° 2

Production Reaction with Acids

Copper(II) hydroxide is Cu(OH)2 + 2HCl → CuCl2 + 2H2O
typically produced by
reacting copper(II) sulfate
Reaction with Alkalis
with sodium hydroxide or by Cu(OH)2 + 4NH3 → [Cu(NH3)4]2+ + 2OH-
electrochemical methods.
Oxidation-Reduction Reaction
CuSO4 + NaOH → Cu(OH)2 + Na2SO4 Copper(II) hydroxide can act as an
oxidizing agent and can be reduced by
Physical Properties certain chemicals like reducing sugars or
strong reducing agents.
It is a blue solid, insoluble in
water but dissolves in Formation of Complexes
ammonia. It decomposes to Copper(II) hydroxide is involved in the
copper(II) oxide upon formation of various complex ions, such
heating. as the tetraamminecopper(II) complex
when dissolved in ammonium solutions.
Production, Physical
and Chemical
Properties of Copper
Production Chemical properties
Salts
Copper(II) Chloride Green crystalline compound used
Cu + 2HCl → CuCl2 + H2 CuCl2 + H2 → Cu + 2HCl
in electroplating, pigments, and
Cu + Cl2 → CuCl2 CuCl2 + 2NaOH → Cu(OH)2 + 2NaCl
as a catalyst.

Copper(II) Sulfate Blue crystalline compound used Cu + 2H2SO4 →

in agriculture, as a wood
CuSO4 ∙ 5H2O → CuSO4 + 5H2O
CuSO4 + SO2 + 2H2O
preservative, and in water CuSO4 + 2NaOH →
2Cu + O2 + 2H2SO4 →
treatment. Cu(OH)2 + Na2SO4
CuSO4 + 2H2O
Copper(II) Nitrate Blue crystals used in
pyrotechnics, as a wood
2Cu(NO3)2 → 2CuO + 4NO2 + O2
3Cu + 8HNO3 →
preservative, and in the Cu(NO3)2 + 2NaOH →
3Cu(NO3)2 + 2NO + 4H2O
production of other copper Cu(OH)2 + 2NaNO3
compounds.
Thank you for your attent
References
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77-7d3ae71dce1b
2.https://ru.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%93%D0%B8%D0%B4%D1%80%
D0%B8%D0%B4_%D0%BC%D0%B5%D0%B4%D0%B8(I)

3.https://www.globalxetfs.com/copper-explained/#:~:text=Sulfide%20or
es%20undergo%20a%20five,minerals%20to%20attach%20to%20bub
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4.https://byjus.com/chemistry/copper-hydroxide/