Copper(II) Chloride

By: Spatula Tzar

Place some chunks of copper in a beaker. I used wire scraps and bits of pipe. Make sure they are large enough to be easily seperated.

Add enough hydrochloric acid to cover the copper. Watch how much you use--we want the acid to be the limiting reagent. The solution will quickly turn to a light yellow-green color. Let it sit overnight.

Eventually, the mixture will take on a darker yellow-orange color. You may see some dark precipitation. Decant the liquid into another beaker.

Place it on a hot plate, and simmer until it has fully evaporated. Remove it from the hot plate.

Let it sit until it's cool enough to handle. The color will partially change to a blue-green.

Using a scoopula, scrape and crush it into a powder. It should now be a brown color.

Let it sit for an hour or so while it absorbs moisture. Check out that hygroscopic action! It's now light green.