Sciencemadness Discussion Board

Making copper chloride

DubaiAmateurRocketry - 24-6-2013 at 10:31

I recently saw some ways, but some say it dosnt work while other says it does so im kind of confused.

I want to make copper II Chloride salt.

I have some ingredients.

Cu(NO3)2 CuSO4 Cu(OAc)2 CuO Cu metal NaCl KCl

Any possible routes ? and also, I want to make Zinc II chloride, i wonder if i can make if by adding zinc to copper II chloride if i am able to make copper II chloride.

DraconicAcid - 24-6-2013 at 10:56

You can make it by dissolving copper(II) oxide in concentrated hydrochloric acid, or by dissolving copper metal in concentrated hydrochloric acid (with a bit of hydrogen peroxide to oxidize it, or, if you're not in a hurry, exposure to atmospheric oxygen). Once you've got it in solution, the trick is to isolate it. It's pretty soluble, but you might get crystals just from evaporation of the solution.

Metacelsus - 24-6-2013 at 11:00

It's technically possible with the reagents you have, but would be much easier if you had HCl.

1) Make sulfuric acid from CuSO4 (decompose to liberate SO2 gas, oxidize SO2 to SO3 over catalyst, dissolve in water to make H2SO4)

2) Make HCl gas from H2SO4 + NaCl. Absorb in water.

3) React HCl with CuO.

Yes, you could make zinc chloride from copper chloride and zinc.

DubaiAmateurRocketry - 24-6-2013 at 11:06

Ok if its technically possible with those related stuff i have, how do i make it !!

Oopsy_daisy - 24-6-2013 at 11:39

IMO the easiest way to make the copper(II)chloride is this:
Electrolyse the copper sulphate with a carbon anode and a copper carhode. The resulting dilute sulphuric acid is boiled to concentrate it.

Next step is as cheddite cheese explained to react the concentrated sulphuric acid with a chloride salt to generate hydrochloride gas . This is then led into water and reacted with Copper oxide

Metacelsus - 24-6-2013 at 12:19

From my experience making H2SO4 that way, the carbon anode will degrade into a pile of mush before you get any decent amount of H2SO4. I got tens of milliliters per anode at best. It is, however, much easier than roasting CuSO4 and converting the SO2 to SO3.

Another (possible, but inconvenient) way to make HCl would be to electrolyze a solution of NaCl, collect the hydrogen and chlorine gas formed, and react them.

papaya - 24-6-2013 at 12:50

Quote: Originally posted by Cheddite Cheese  

Another (possible, but inconvenient) way to make HCl would be to electrolyze a solution of NaCl, collect the hydrogen and chlorine gas formed, and react them.

Even impossible if you don't have a suitable membrane..

Fantasma4500 - 25-6-2013 at 15:31

my favorite is by CuCO3*2Cu(OH)2 + HCl
goes really fast but CuO is pretty well fast also, also theres no CO2 bubbling around with CuO..

CuSO4 + NaHCO3 > CuCO3*2Cu(OH)2 + Na2SO4
the copper carbonate will ppt. out
you can just dump the slurry into HCl solution..

you coul also dump the copper carbonate slurry into a beaker or whatever and heat it up, the CO2 will go off and this is happening just above 100*C IIRC
it turns pitch black.. and then you can dump THAT in HCl

anyways, whats your use for CuCl2? i suppose rockets but as in a catalyst or what?
CuCl2 is my favorite chemical i need to know :D

ElectroWin - 25-6-2013 at 16:30

Quote: Originally posted by Cheddite Cheese  
It's technically possible with the reagents you have, but would be much easier if you had HCl.

1) Make sulfuric acid from CuSO4 (decompose to liberate SO2 gas, oxidize SO2 to SO3 over catalyst, dissolve in water to make H2SO4)

2) Make HCl gas from H2SO4 + NaCl. Absorb in water.

3) React HCl with CuO.



why not try to combine this into a single step? get yourself even some crude, concentrated H2SO4 (liquid drain release)

make a moist slurry of CuO and bubble your HCl (produced by heating the H2SO4 with NaCl) through that?

then let the product settle and decant / save the liquid, which will be CuCl2 solution; and crystallize if you like


[Edited on 2013-6-26 by ElectroWin]

Finnnicus - 25-6-2013 at 17:40

What about CuSO4 + 2NaCl --> Na2SO4 + CuCl2 and then boiling OR evaporating the solution. Then dissolve in ethanol, or methylated spirits. CuCl2 is soluble (60g/100ml IIRC) while Na2SO4 is insoluble. At this point react it with Zinc or evaporate the ethanol to form crystals.

You didn't say you had methylated spirits, but you can pick up 2L for about 8$, so its not really a problem?