Copper Acetate

Copper acetate is used as a fungicide, catalyst, oxidizer, and as a blue-green pigment for making paint and other art supplies. The blue-green crystals are easy enough to grow as a beginner crystal-growing project.

Copper acetate has several uses:

Catalyst in Organic Reactions: It is used as a catalyst in various organic reactions, particularly in the synthesis of certain dyes and pharmaceuticals.

Wood Preservative: Historically, copper acetate has been used as a wood preservative to protect wood against decay and insect damage. It imparts a greenish color to the wood and is known for its use in preserving the hulls of ships.

Electroplating: It is employed in electroplating processes to deposit a layer of copper onto various substrates.

Catalyst in Click Chemistry: Copper acetate is used as a catalyst in click chemistry reactions, which involve the rapid, selective, and high-yielding formation of covalent bonds between building blocks.

Chemical Education: In educational settings, copper acetate is sometimes used in chemistry demonstrations and experiments.

• Mix equal parts vinegar and hydrogen peroxide.

• Heat the mixture. You can bring it to a boil so that you're certain it's hot enough, but once you reach that temperature, you can turn down the heat.

• Add copper. For a small amount of liquid, try about 5 pennies or a strip of copper wire. If you are using wire, make sure it is uncoated.

• Initially, the mixture will bubble and become cloudy. The solution will turn blue as copper acetate is produced.

• Wait for this reaction to proceed. Once the liquid clears up, heat the mixture until all the liquid is gone. Collect the solid, which is copper acetate. Alternatively, you can remove the mixture from heat, place the container in a place where it won't be disturbed, and wait for copper acetate monohydrate [Cu(CH3COO)2.H2O] crystals to deposit on the copper.