What is Copper(II) carbonate?
[[File:Basic copper(II) carbonate.jpg|thumb|A mixture of copper(II) carbonate and copper(II) hydroxide]] '''Copper(II) carbonate''', also known as '''cupric carbonate''', is a [[chemical compound]]. Its chemical formula is CuCO<sub>3</sub>. It contains [[copper]] in its +2 [[oxidation state]]. It also contains [[carbonate]] [[ion]]s. ==Properties== Copper(II) carbonate is a blue-green solid. It is made when copper is in air for a long time and turns green. The other part of that coating is [[copper(II) hydroxide]]. It dissolves in [[acid]]s to make [[carbon dioxide]] and a copper [[salt]]. It breaks down when heated to make [[carbon dioxide]] and [[copper(II) oxide]]. ==Preparation== It can be made by leaving copper(II) hydroxide in air, which makes copper(II) carbonate. It can also be made by reacting [[copper sulfate]] and [[sodium carbonate]]. This makes [[sodium sulfate]] in solution. ==Uses== Copper(II) carbonate can be used to kill [[algae]]. It is also used as a [[pigment]]. ==Safety== It can irritate the skin. It is toxic since it dissolves in stomach acid to make copper ions in solution, which can be absorbed. ==Related pages== *[[Copper(I) chloride]] *[[Copper(II) chloride]] [[Category:Copper compounds]] [[Category:Carbonates]]