ALL ABOUT COPPER (II) CARBONATE
Copper (II) carbonate, or copper carbonate, is made when the metal copper and the nonmetal carbon are combined with oxygen. These two chemicals combine to become stable and meet the octet rule (6). Since it is the combination of the metal copper, and the polyatomic ion carbonate, copper carbonate is held together by ionic bonds. This means the electrons are transferred from copper to carbonate and create a strong bond (7). When combined, copper and carbon make a completely different substance than their original forms.
Copper, the metal used in the ionic compound, is a reddish-brown metal that is ductile, malleable, and of a high luster. Copper is a transition metal
and is found in the “d” block of the periodic table. It is commercially available as a sheet, wire, or powder and is an excellent conductor of heat and electricity. For these reasons, copper has many uses. It is used in building construction, equipment, heating, and chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturing. Copper is also used to make electrical products and electronics. The melting point of copper is 1083°C and the boiling point is 2595°C. (5).
Carbonate is a polyatomic ion. A carbonate atom is one carbon surrounded by three oxygens, making its shape trigonal planar. Carbonate metals can decompose with heat but most carbonate salts are insoluble in water, this however does have a few exceptions. Carbonate works as a buffer in the blood to
help maintain a balanced pH level and there is evidence of carbonates in space, including on Mars. (2).
When combined, these two very different elements create copper carbonate. Copper carbonate is formed when copper oxidizes, mixing with moist air (5). It is also manufactured commercially (4). Other names for copper carbonate include: carbonic acid, copper monocarbonate, cupric carbonate, and xanthic acid. The chemical formula of copper carbonate isCuC03, Cu(OH)2. Copper carbonate is a fine, green powder with no odor. It has a molecular weight of 221.1 and a decomposition temperature of 200 degrees Celsius. Copper carbonate is insoluble, meaning it cannot be dissolved in water (3).
Though it is toxic to plants and fungi, copper carbonate is not deadly to humans (3). However, it can be harmful to humans, and safety precautions, such
as gloves, goggles, and dusk masks, should be used to protect oneself. If safety precautions are not taken, different symptoms can occur, based on how the
compound interacts with the human. Consuming copper carbonate may cause nausea and vomiting, and inhalation can cause irritation after a long period of time. Contact with skin can cause irritation and possible discoloration, while eye contact can cause mild eye irritation. If one is to directly come in contact
with copper carbonate, there are first aid procedures that should be taken. If copper carbonate is consumed, it is necessary to drink plenty of water and seek
medical advice if symptoms of feeling unwell continue. One should move to fresh air if there is an inhalation of copper carbonate and wash their skin if there
is any skin contact. Finally, if copper carbonate comes into contact with the eyes, the eyes and under the eyelids should be rinsed immediately with water for
15 minutes. (3).
Copper carbonate has many uses. One common use is the addition of copper carbonate to animal feeds to absorb copper and its use as an anthelmintic,
worm/parasite destroying, aid for sheep. Copper carbonate is also used as a treatment for copper deficiency in ruminants, which are mammals, like cows,
which chew on a cud. It can be used as a fungicide, in pyrotechnics, and in the manufacturing of other copper salts. (4).
Overall, copper carbonate (CuC03), a unique compound formed from the ionic bonds of the metal copper and the nonmetal carbon, is a compound that is naturally made when copper mixes with moist air but is manufactured commercially as well (7)(5)(4). Copper carbonate is a green, odorless, solid (3). Though it is not deadly to humans, it can cause many complications and can be harmful. Therefore, safety measures must be taken when forming copper carbonate in order to avoid any complications (3).
Copper, the metal used in the ionic compound, is a reddish-brown metal that is ductile, malleable, and of a high luster. Copper is a transition metal
and is found in the “d” block of the periodic table. It is commercially available as a sheet, wire, or powder and is an excellent conductor of heat and electricity. For these reasons, copper has many uses. It is used in building construction, equipment, heating, and chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturing. Copper is also used to make electrical products and electronics. The melting point of copper is 1083°C and the boiling point is 2595°C. (5).
Carbonate is a polyatomic ion. A carbonate atom is one carbon surrounded by three oxygens, making its shape trigonal planar. Carbonate metals can decompose with heat but most carbonate salts are insoluble in water, this however does have a few exceptions. Carbonate works as a buffer in the blood to
help maintain a balanced pH level and there is evidence of carbonates in space, including on Mars. (2).
When combined, these two very different elements create copper carbonate. Copper carbonate is formed when copper oxidizes, mixing with moist air (5). It is also manufactured commercially (4). Other names for copper carbonate include: carbonic acid, copper monocarbonate, cupric carbonate, and xanthic acid. The chemical formula of copper carbonate isCuC03, Cu(OH)2. Copper carbonate is a fine, green powder with no odor. It has a molecular weight of 221.1 and a decomposition temperature of 200 degrees Celsius. Copper carbonate is insoluble, meaning it cannot be dissolved in water (3).
Though it is toxic to plants and fungi, copper carbonate is not deadly to humans (3). However, it can be harmful to humans, and safety precautions, such
as gloves, goggles, and dusk masks, should be used to protect oneself. If safety precautions are not taken, different symptoms can occur, based on how the
compound interacts with the human. Consuming copper carbonate may cause nausea and vomiting, and inhalation can cause irritation after a long period of time. Contact with skin can cause irritation and possible discoloration, while eye contact can cause mild eye irritation. If one is to directly come in contact
with copper carbonate, there are first aid procedures that should be taken. If copper carbonate is consumed, it is necessary to drink plenty of water and seek
medical advice if symptoms of feeling unwell continue. One should move to fresh air if there is an inhalation of copper carbonate and wash their skin if there
is any skin contact. Finally, if copper carbonate comes into contact with the eyes, the eyes and under the eyelids should be rinsed immediately with water for
15 minutes. (3).
Copper carbonate has many uses. One common use is the addition of copper carbonate to animal feeds to absorb copper and its use as an anthelmintic,
worm/parasite destroying, aid for sheep. Copper carbonate is also used as a treatment for copper deficiency in ruminants, which are mammals, like cows,
which chew on a cud. It can be used as a fungicide, in pyrotechnics, and in the manufacturing of other copper salts. (4).
Overall, copper carbonate (CuC03), a unique compound formed from the ionic bonds of the metal copper and the nonmetal carbon, is a compound that is naturally made when copper mixes with moist air but is manufactured commercially as well (7)(5)(4). Copper carbonate is a green, odorless, solid (3). Though it is not deadly to humans, it can cause many complications and can be harmful. Therefore, safety measures must be taken when forming copper carbonate in order to avoid any complications (3).