Uploaded December 2020 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
This reaction shows the thermal decomposition of copper(II) nitrate:
2Cu(NO3)2 = 2CuO + 4NO2 + O2
Blue copper(II) nitrate is decomposed to black copper(II) oxide and nitrogen dioxide (nitrogen(IV) oxide) and oxygen. The hydrated copper nitrate first loses its water of crystallisation which can be see coming out of the crystals and condensing on the sides of the tube. Nitrogen dioxide, an orange brown gas is released. Care must be taken since nitrogen dioxide is very toxic.
This reaction shows the thermal decomposition of copper(II) nitrate:
2Cu(NO3)2 = 2CuO + 4NO2 + O2
Blue copper(II) nitrate is decomposed to black copper(II) oxide and nitrogen dioxide (nitrogen(IV) oxide) and oxygen. The hydrated copper nitrate first loses its water of crystallisation which can be see coming out of the crystals and condensing on the sides of the tube. Nitrogen dioxide, an orange brown gas is released. Care must be taken since nitrogen dioxide is very toxic.
