What is Copper Hydroxide?
Copper hydroxide is also called cupric hydroxide is a pale blue precipitate produced when sodium or potassium hydroxide is added in excess to a solution of a copper salt. Copper hydroxide is crystalline but inert compound used in the preparation of a wide variety of salts. It is prepared by adding just sufficient aqueous ammonia to cupric sulphate to hold the copper in solution and then precipitating the hydroxide either by the addition of an equivalent quantity of alkali by removing ammonia from the solution using a dessicator.
Other names – Cuprichydroxide, Cuprous hydroxide
Table of Contents
- Structure of Copper Hydroxide
- Chemical data on Copper Hydroxide
- Physical Properties of Copper Hydroxide
- Chemical Properties of Copper Hydroxide
- Uses of Copper Hydroxide
- Frequently Asked Questions- FAQs
Structure of Copper Hydroxide – Cu(OH)2
Chemical data on Copper Hydroxide – Cu(OH)2
| Cu(OH)2 | Copper Hydroxide |
| Density | 3.37 g/cm³ |
| Molecular Weight/ Molar Mass | 97.561 g/mol |
| pH | 7.69 |
| Melting Point | 80° C |
| Chemical Formula | Cu(OH)2 |
Physical Properties of Copper Hydroxide – Cu(OH)2
| Odour | Fishy odour |
| Appearance | Blue or bluish green solid |
| Covalently-Bonded Unit | 3 |
| Heavy Atom Count | 3 |
| Hydrogen Bond Acceptor | 2 |
| Solubility | Insoluble in water |
Chemical Properties of Copper Hydroxide – Cu(OH)2
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- Copper hydroxide reacts with sulfuric acid to form copper sulfate and water. The chemical equation is given below.
Cu(OH)2 + H2SO4 → CuSO4 + 2 H2O
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- Copper hydroxide reacts with nitric acid to form copper nitrate and water. The chemical equation is given below.
Cu(OH)2 + 2HNO3 → Cu(NO3)2 + 2H2O
Uses of Copper Hydroxide – Cu(OH)2
- Copper hydroxide fungicides, first developed in the 1970’s, have become favored for most fungicide applications.
- A mixture of copper hydroxide and copper sulfate is used as insecticides and pesticides.
- Malachite copper hydroxide carbonate is a bright green mineral used as an ore of copper and as a semiprecious stone for making ornaments.
- Used as an effective biocides as wood preservatives.
Frequently Asked Questions- FAQs
1. What is copper hydroxide used for?
Copper hydroxide is used as fungicides. A mixture of copper hydroxide and copper sulfate is also used as insecticides and pesticides. Malachite copper hydroxide is a bright green mineral used as a semiprecious stone for making ornaments.
2. How is copper hydroxide formed?
Copper(II) hydroxide is formed by adding a sodium hydroxide to a dilute solution of copper(II) sulfate(CuSO4·5H2O).
3. Is copper hydroxide ionic or covalent?
Copper hydroxide(Cu(OH)2) is an ionic compound. It undergoes dissociation to produce Cu2+ cation and OH- anion. Cu is a metal and oxygen is non-metal so the bond between Cu and Oxygen is ionic in nature.
4. Is copper hydroxide a weak base?
Copper hydroxide is a hydrated copper oxide, and it does provide some concentration of OH- ions when it is in the presence of acids (H3O+). However, it is largely insoluble in water. Therefore, copper hydroxide would not be considered an alkali, but rather a weak base.
5. Is copper hydroxide a fungicide?
Copper hydroxide is used as a fungicide. The compound which is used to kill parasitic fungi or their spores is known as fungicide.
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