Can I Make Copper Gluconate with Calcium, Zinc, Ferrous & Copper Wires?

  • Thread starter Thread starter MadM
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Copper
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the feasibility of synthesizing copper gluconate using limited materials, specifically calcium gluconate, zinc gluconate, ferrous gluconate, and copper wires. Participants explore various chemical reactions and methods, including electrolysis and double replacement reactions, while addressing the challenges associated with the process.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires whether copper gluconate can be made from calcium gluconate, zinc gluconate, ferrous gluconate, and copper wires.
  • Another participant states that dissolving copper requires a strong oxidizer, which the mentioned substances do not provide.
  • A participant suggests using copper electrodes in water with zinc gluconate to create copper gluconate.
  • Another participant counters that without a method to precipitate zinc, this approach will not work and questions the inquirer's understanding of double replacement reactions.
  • A participant expresses their lack of experience and describes previous attempts at electrolysis with copper electrodes, resulting in a blue solution and green precipitate, questioning the nature of these salts.
  • One participant hypothesizes that the precipitate is likely a basic carbonate, rather than a pure carbonate or hydroxide.
  • Another participant suggests that if chlorinated drinking water was used, the blue solution with precipitates could indicate copper chloride, but notes that there is insufficient chloride for substantial copper chloride formation.
  • A later reply proposes that using pure water with gluconate ions and copper and zinc electrodes, along with excess zinc gluconate, might facilitate the production of copper gluconate through electrolysis.
  • However, it is also mentioned that traces of copper in the solution would preferentially deposit on the cathode, complicating the process and potentially leading to hydrogen evolution instead of zinc deposition.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the feasibility of synthesizing copper gluconate with the proposed methods. There is no consensus on a definitive approach, and multiple competing ideas remain throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight limitations related to the understanding of chemical reactions, the role of oxidizers, and the behavior of ions in solution, which may affect the proposed methods for synthesizing copper gluconate.

MadM
Messages
9
Reaction score
0
Hi
I only have very few materials which are (calcium gluconate , zinc gluconate , ferrous gluconate ) and copper wires
can i make copper gluconate using these?
help please
 
Chemistry news on Phys.org
Your first problem will be with dissolving copper, you need a relatively strong oxidizer for that - none of the substances mentioned will work.
 
what if i use copper electrodes in water then put some zinc gluconate ? will this work
 
No, unless you find a way to precipitate zinc from the solution. Do you know how the double replacement reaction (AKA metathesis) works? Do you know how it works in solutions? Do you know what the net ionic reaction is?
 
Last edited:
No. Sadly I'm a newb. I'm trying to make any copper salt (not hydroxide or cholride) I've tried electrolysis on drinking water with copper electrodes,it gave blue solution then after a while green precipitate . what are these salts carbonate? hydroxide?
 
Most likely basic carbonate (so neither carbonate nor hydroxide, but something in between).
 
If it was chlorinated drinking water, a blue solution with green+white precipitate sounds like copper chloride.
To make copper gluconate it would probably be easiest to use pure water with gluconate ions and copper and zinc electrodes, with excess zinc gluconate dissolved. Applying a current would move the zinc cations onto the zinc electrode, while moving the gluconate onto the copper electrode while moving some copper ions into solution.
 
zuloo37 said:
If it was chlorinated drinking water, a blue solution with green+white precipitate sounds like copper chloride

There is not enough Cl- in chlorinated water for copper chloride in substantial amounts.

To make copper gluconate it would probably be easiest to use pure water with gluconate ions and copper and zinc electrodes, with excess zinc gluconate dissolved. Applying a current would move the zinc cations onto the zinc electrode, while moving the gluconate onto the copper electrode while moving some copper ions into solution.

No, that will not work. Once you have even traces of copper in the solution it will deposit preferentially on the cathode, leaving zinc in the solution. That's what reactivity series is about. You can't remove zinc as long as there are less reactive metals present (in fact looking at reduction potentials you should expect hydrogen evolving instead of zinc deposition even in the solution with no other ions).
 

Similar threads

Question about this unusual galvanic bath
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Side reactions while dissolving silver
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
Potential across a battery cell change ion concentrations and electron flow
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
Trying to impress my 8th grade students, made some unknown stuff
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
Help, I have made a huge mistake with copper sulfate!
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
6K
Recovery/development of low grade copper ore
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Radioluminescence and differing zinc sulfide preparations?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Electrolysis: Dark blue oxide from steel?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
4K
Understanding Galvanic Cells: Zinc and Copper Electrodes Explained"
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
4K
Voltaic (Daniell) Cell: Zinc Oxidation Explained
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K