Table of Contents
Copper acetate is a type of compound which is prepared by adding acidic substance to copper metal. This compound is also known as the verdigris. Verdigris is a compound that is characterized by natural patina which develops on as the copper is corroding. The copper acetate takes a fine form of powder. The following is a chemical formula of copper acetate. It is shown as Cu(CH3COO)2. The copper acetate can be prepared from the labs. This essay will show the preparation and the reduction of the copper acetate.
Materials
The experiment used the following materials: copper metal, acetate acid or 5% vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, and a nonmetallic container which can be heated, such as a beaker.
Procedure
During the experiment, a copper consumer was made. Vinegar was then added into the hydrogen peroxide at the ratio of 50:50. This created a solution which consumed the copper metal. Creating the solution ate the metal at a faster rate. The solution was then transferred into a different nonmetallic container. The heated container was in glass form for easy heating. The copper metal was then added into a container and heated. The temperature was then checked when the solution started boiling. When the bubbles started turning into a blue color, it was a clear sign that the copper acetate had started forming (Richardson, 1997). When the bubbles started slowing down, vinegar was then added to increase the reaction rate. The experimental team became satisfied with the amount of copper acetate that has been produced, the solution was then heated until all the liquid evaporated.
Results and Discussion
The solution changed color to blue as the heating process went on. The whole solution turned blue. The blue solution is copper acetate but in liquid form. When the blue solution is heated it forms a powdery substance which is the copper acetate but in solid form. The vinegar and the hydrogen peroxide were mixed in the same ratio to ensure that the solution can be used as a metal consumer. The copper was eaten easily. Additionally, the mixed up solution was used as a catalyst. That is the reason why at the time when the bubbles reduced the rate at which they were being produced, the solution had to be added to the reaction so that the rate of the production of bubbles can be increased (Burkin, 2001). During the process of making the copper acetate, it is important to ensure that the heating is done at the highest degree possible. This will increase the rate at which the copper acetate will be formed. The following is the equation that depicts the formation of the copper compound that has been formed.
Cu+0(liquid) + H2O2 + 2 H+(liquid) → Cu+2(liquid) + 2 H2O(l)
Cu+2 + C2H4O2 = Cu(CH3CO2)2
Conclusion
In summary, the reaction between vinegar, hydrogen peroxide and copper results into a formation of the copper acetate. It is important to safeguard yourself against the fumes from the reaction that will lead to the formation of copper acetate. The copper acetate that has been formed can be used as a fungicide.
- Burkin, A. (2001). Chemical hydrometallurgy. London: Imperial College Press.
- Richardson, H. (1997). Handbook of copper compounds and applications. New York, NY [u.a.]: Dekker.