# Copper Nitrate plus water

1. Feb 6, 2005

### ktpr2

Does Copper(I) Nitrate plus water { Cu(NO)3)2 (aq) + H20 } yeild Cu(NO3)2 3H20? (unbalanced)

From what I've been told, it could equal Cu(H2O)6^+2(aq) but I don't see the NO3 anywhere.

2. Feb 6, 2005

### dextercioby

Do you see anything devious in the underlined part...?

What is that...??

Daniel.

3. Feb 6, 2005

### ktpr2

Devious? Uh, Copper(I) has a postive charge, the anion NO3 has a negative charge; so it really must be Copper(II), to balance the molecule. Okay. Now you add water, h2o so all these elements have to show up on the product side. Since Cu(NO3)2 is balanced I have to ask myself if 3H2O is balanced. H is +, so 6+ goes with O which is 2-, 6-. So it looks pretty balanced.

I'll read ahead here. Water is is an extremely weak electrolyte. And ions dissolve in water well so it looks possible. What am I missing here?

4. Feb 6, 2005

### dextercioby

How would the chemical bonds be realized in
$$Cu_{2}(NO_{3})_{2}$$

compared to the regular
$$CuNO_{3}$$

??

Daniel.

5. Feb 6, 2005

### ktpr2

Metal+nonmetal = ion; must be charge neutral

$$Cu_{2}(NO_{3})_{2}; (NO_{3})_{2}$$ has charge of -1, so that's -2 overall, and since we have two atoms of Cu, it must be normal copper with a charge of -1.

I'm not sure "how the bond would be realized"; by charge forces :)?

6. Feb 6, 2005

### dextercioby

BETWEEN WHOM??$CuNO_{3}$ is ELECTRICALLY NEUTRAL...

Daniel.

7. Feb 6, 2005

### ktpr2

I guess it would have be a molecular bond of some kind. I profess ignorance as I'm just reading ahead for class.

8. Feb 6, 2005

### dextercioby

I strongly doubt it.I would advise you to use the Cu(I) nitrate,viz.$CuNO_{3}$

Daniel.

9. Feb 6, 2005

### ktpr2

okay wait I don't have a choice of what kind of copper nitrate I can use. $$Cu(NO_3)_2_(aq_) + H_2O$$ is all i get. I just wanted to know what kind of product it would make. Thanks for your elucidation though

10. Feb 6, 2005

### dextercioby

Well $Cu(NO_{3})_{2} \ _{aq.}$ would mean Cu (II),right...?And why would the problem speak about Cu(I)??Is there some redox that i cannot/don't see???

Daniel.

11. Feb 6, 2005

### Gokul43201

Staff Emeritus
The complex you get is the copper (II) hexaquo complex.

$$Cu(NO_3)_2 + 6H_2O \longrightarrow Cu(H_2O)_6^{2+} + 2NO_3^-$$

12. Feb 6, 2005

### dextercioby

Thanks,Gokul.I knew a clear mind would settle it.

So it was Copper (II) all the time...

Daniel.