Open In App

Copper(II) Chloride Formula – Structure, Properties, Uses, Sample Questions

Improve
Improve
Like Article
Like
Save
Share
Report

Copper(II) Chloride is an inorganic compound and naturally occurs as an anhydrous mineral called tolbachite and dehydrated eriochalcite. Both the minerals are obtained from fumaroles areas. Copper(II) Chloride is also known as Copper dichloride or Cupric chloride or Cupric dichloride. In anhydrous form, it appears as a yellowish-brown powder. In dihydrate, it appears as a green crystalline solid.

Copper(II) Chloride Formula

Copper(II) Chloride’s Formula is CuCl2. Copper(II) Chloride consists of one copper atom and two chlorine atoms. Copper is malleable, ductile metal which is present in group-11 of the periodic table. Its atomic number is 29 and is represented by the symbol Cu. Copper is a very good conductor of heat and electricity. It is used along with different metals like gold, and silver in jewelry. Chlorine is toxic, a corrosive gas present in group-17 of the periodic table. It is the second lightest gas in the halogen family. Its atomic number is 17 and is represented by the symbol Cl. At room temperature, it appears in greenish-yellow color.

Structure of Copper(II) Chloride

Structure of Copper(II) ChlorideAvichalbharti

Physical Properties of Copper(II) Chloride

  • The molecular weight of Copper(II) Chloride is 134.45 g/mol.
  • The melting point of Copper(II) Chloride is 498°C.
  • The boiling point of Copper(II) Chloride is 993°C.
  • The density of CuCl2 is 3.386 g/cm3.

Chemical Properties of Copper(II) Chloride

  • Copper(II) Chloride is corrosive to Aluminum.
  • The oxidation state of Copper(II) Chloride metal is +2. It’s a weak oxidizing agent and reacts with aluminum foil to give hydrogen, Copper(I) oxide, and aluminum chloride
  • Upon heating, when CuCl2 reacts with NaOH produces sodium (II) hydroxide and releases chlorine gas.

Uses of Copper(II) Chloride

  • CuCl2 is used as a wood preservative, fungicide, insecticide, and herbicide.
  • It is used in laundry marking inks.
  • CuCl2 is used in Agricultural chemical manufacturing. 
  • It is also used in water treatment.
  • It acts as a deodorizing agent (avoids offensive odor) in the petroleum industry.
  • It is an oxidizing and purifying agent.
  • Cupric dichloride is used as a mordant in dyeing and printing textiles.
  • CuCl2 is used as a catalyst in organic and inorganic reactions. In chlorine production CuCl2 acts as a catalyst from HCl.

Sample Questions

Question 1: How Copper(II) Chloride is prepared?

Answer:

Commercially Copper(II) Chloride is obtained by chlorination of copper. The chemical reaction of copper chlorination is given by,

Cu + Cl2 + 2H2O ⇢ CuCl2(H2O)2

Question 2: What is the charge of Copper chloride?

Answer:

The charge of chlorine in copper chloride is -1 and in order to stable the compound copper in copper chloride must have +1 charge. So the charge of copper in copper chloride is +1. Therefore it is called as Copper(I) Chloride.

Question 3: Find the molecular weight of Copper(II) Chloride?

Solution:

Atomic weight of 1 Copper atom = 63.546

Atomic weight of 1 Chlorine atom = 35.453

Molecular weight of CuCl2 = 63.546 + (2 × 35.453)

=134.45

Molecular weight of Copper(II) Chloride is 134.45 g/mol.

Question 4: Is Cupric dichloride hazardous?

Answer:

Cupric Dichloride is health hazardous. Inhaling CuCl2 causes coughing. Swallowing causes vomiting and pain. When a liquid containing CuCl2 comes in contact with eye or skin causes irritation. 

Question 5: Why Cupric dichloride is violet in color?

Answer:

When the electrons pass from the t2 energy level to the e energy level, photons having the wavelength of yellow light are absorbed and the hydrated copper chloride becomes violet in color.

Question 6: Copper(II) Chloride is used in the preparation of crackers?

Answer:

Yes, Copper(II) Chloride is used in preparation of crackers/fireworks. Fireworks containing CuCl2 creates blue and green hue in the sky and make the sky look colorful.

Question 7: Copper(II) Chloride is solid?

Answer:

Yes, Copper(II) Chloride is solid. In anhydrous form CuCl2 appears in yellowish-brown color. Gradually it absorbs moisture to form a green-blue dihydrate.


Last Updated : 19 Dec, 2023
Like Article
Save Article
Previous
Next
Share your thoughts in the comments
Similar Reads