Question
What is the solubility of copper compounds in aqueous ammonia solution?
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The solubility of copper compounds in aqueous ammonia (NH₃) solution varies depending on the specific compound and the concentration of ammonia used. Generally, many copper(I) and copper(II) compounds are more soluble in ammonia due to the formation of stable complex ions.
For example, copper(II) ions (Cu²⁺) can react with ammonia to form the tetraamminecopper(II) complex ion, [Cu(NH₃)₄]²⁺, which is quite soluble in solution. This reaction can be represented as:
\[ \text{Cu}^{2+}(aq) + 4 \text{NH}_3(aq) \leftrightarrow [\text{Cu(NH}_3\text{)}_4]^{2+}(aq) \]
This complex formation significantly increases the solubility of copper(II) salts, making them readily dissolvable in concentrated ammonia solutions.
Copper(I) compounds can also form ammonia complexes, although they are typically less stable than the copper(II) complexes.
In summary, the solubility of copper compounds in aqueous ammonia is generally higher than in plain water due to the formation of various complex ions, especially for copper(II) compounds.
For example, copper(II) ions (Cu²⁺) can react with ammonia to form the tetraamminecopper(II) complex ion, [Cu(NH₃)₄]²⁺, which is quite soluble in solution. This reaction can be represented as:
\[ \text{Cu}^{2+}(aq) + 4 \text{NH}_3(aq) \leftrightarrow [\text{Cu(NH}_3\text{)}_4]^{2+}(aq) \]
This complex formation significantly increases the solubility of copper(II) salts, making them readily dissolvable in concentrated ammonia solutions.
Copper(I) compounds can also form ammonia complexes, although they are typically less stable than the copper(II) complexes.
In summary, the solubility of copper compounds in aqueous ammonia is generally higher than in plain water due to the formation of various complex ions, especially for copper(II) compounds.