Copper(II) phosphate

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Copper(II) phosphate
Copper(II) phosphate dry.jpg
Freshly ground copper(II) phosphate intended for use in blue paint
Names
IUPAC name
Copper(II) phosphate
Other names
Cupric phosphate
Tricopper bis(orthophosphate)
Tricopper diphosphate
Properties
Cu3(PO4)2
Molar mass 380.580722 g/mol (anhydrous)
434.63 g/mol (trihydrate)
Appearance Light bluish-green powder (anhydrous)
Blue or olive crystals (trihydrate)
anhydrous:
Insoluble
trihydrate:
Slightly soluble
Solubility anhydrous:
Soluble in ammonia
trihydrate:
Soluble in aq. ammonia
Slightly soluble in acetone
Insoluble in alcohols
Hazards
Flash point Non-flammable
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references

Copper(II) phosphate, or cupric phosphate, is a chemical compound with the formula Cu3(PO4)2. It is a light blue powdery compound that is insoluble in water.

Properties

Chemical

Copper(II) phosphate will react with concentrated strong acids acids, such as sulfuric acid to produce the corresponding copper salt and phosphoric acid.

Physical

Copper(II) phosphate is a light blue, powdery substance that is insoluble in water and ethanol, but soluble in ammonia and mineral acids.

Availability

Copper(II) phosphate is usually unavailable for sale as it has very few applications. It is however extremely easy to prepare with OTC chemicals.

Preparation

Freshly precipitated and filtered copper(II) phosphate

Copper(II) phosphate can be prepared by combining copper(II) sulfate and trisodium phosphate in a 3:2 molar ratio.

3 CuSO4 (aq) + 2 Na3PO4 (aq) → 2 Cu3(PO4)2 (s) + 3 Na2SO4 (aq)

A different preparation involves reacting copper carbonate with phosphoric acid:

3 Cu2CO3(OH)2 + 4 H3PO4 → 2 Cu3(PO4)2 + 3 CO2 + 9 H2O

Monoammonium phosphate also works for this preparation.

Projects

  • Copper compounds collection
  • Paint pigments
  • Copper (II) phosphate can be reduced to copper phosphide, which can be used to isolate elemental phosphorous by heating it: 4 Cu3P2 → 4 Cu3P + P4

Handling

Safety

Like all copper compounds, copper(II) phosphate is mildly toxic, but since it is insoluble it is less of a concern than soluble compounds.[1]

Storage

Copper(II) phosphate should be stored in closed bottles.

Disposal

Copper phosphate should be disposed just like any other copper compound.

References

  1. http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/summary/summary.cgi?cid=86469

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