Draft:Sodium bis(carbonato)cuprate(II)

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Sodium bis(carbonato)cuprate(II) is a complex compound of copper containing the carbonato ligand, with the chemical formula Na₂[Cu(CO₃)₂]. Its trihydrate is a bright blue solid that occurs naturally as the relatively rare minerals chalconatronite and juangodoyite.

Preparation

Sodium bis(carbonato)cuprate(II) can be prepared by mixing basic copper carbonate with saturated solutions of sodium bicarbonate or carbonate in water under heating.Template:Citation needed

$\mathrm{C}\mathrm{u}{\phantom{A}}_2(\mathrm{O}\mathrm{H}){\phantom{A}}_2\mathrm{C}\mathrm{O}{\phantom{A}}_3+6\mathrm{N}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{H}\mathrm{C}\mathrm{O}{\phantom{A}}_3⟶2\mathrm{N}\mathrm{a}{\phantom{A}}_2[\mathrm{C}\mathrm{u}(\mathrm{C}\mathrm{O}{\phantom{A}}_3){\phantom{A}}_2]+2\mathrm{N}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{O}\mathrm{H}+\mathrm{H}{\phantom{A}}_2\mathrm{O}+\mathrm{C}\mathrm{O}{\phantom{A}}_2$$\mathrm{C}\mathrm{u}{\phantom{A}}_2(\mathrm{O}\mathrm{H}){\phantom{A}}_2\mathrm{C}\mathrm{O}{\phantom{A}}_3+3\mathrm{N}\mathrm{a}{\phantom{A}}_2\mathrm{C}\mathrm{O}{\phantom{A}}_3⟶2\mathrm{N}\mathrm{a}{\phantom{A}}_2[\mathrm{C}\mathrm{u}(\mathrm{C}\mathrm{O}{\phantom{A}}_3){\phantom{A}}_2]+2\mathrm{N}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{O}\mathrm{H}$

The solid complex will slowly crystallize from solution as the trihydrate.

Properties

Sodium bis(carbonato)cuprate(II) is somewhat stable in saturated sodium bicarbonate or carbonate solutions. It rapidly decomposes in pure water, with visible changes in less than a minute.

Like all other copper (II) compounds, sodium bis(carbonato)cuprate(II) is paramagnetic due to the unpaired electron in its 3d orbital.

Toxicity

It contains copper (II) and is toxic upon ingestion. Skin contact should be avoided.