Transition Metals and Coordination Compounds- The Copper Mirror

Chloro Complexes of Cobalt (II)

Color Fan

Oxidation States of Vanadium

Precipitates and Complexes of Nickel (II)

Precipitates and Complexes of Silver (I)

Formation of a Silver Mirror

Spectroscopy for Large Lecture Hall II

Bromo Complexes of Copper (II)

Colorful Complex Ions in Ammonia

Colors of Complexes of Transition Metal

Hydration of Cu (II) Ion

Iron (III) Thiocyanate Complex Ion Equilibrium

Precipitates and Complexes of Copper (II)

Precipitates and Complexes of Iron (III)

Relationship of Absorbed Light to Observed Color

Samples of Minerals

The Copper Mirror

Reduction of Permanganate Ion by Sulfide Ion

Slow Formation of Chloro Complex of Chromium (III) Ion

Oxidation States of Vanadium (II) with Permanganate

The Copper Mirror

Description: A tollens type redox reaction is carried out in a test tube using ammonium hydroxide, copper acetate and hydrazine to form a Copper zero surface on the inner surface.

Cu(CH₃COO)(aq) + 4NH₄OH(aq) + NH₂NH₂(l) → Cu(s) + 2CH₃COO^–(aq) + N₂(g) + 2NH₄⁺(g) + 4H₂O(l) + 2NH₃(g) + H₂(g)

Source: UW Card Catalog, Shakhashiri, B.Z. Chemical Demonstrations A Handbook for Teachers of Chemistry

Year: 1992   Vol: 4   Page: 224

Ratings:

Keywords: Redox reaction, Copper, Hydrazine, Organic chemistry, Entropy

Hazard: Medium

• Acute toxicity hazard- oral
• Skin corrosion hazard
• Serious eye damage
• Short-term (acute) aquatic hazard
• Long-term (chronic) aquatic hazard
• Corrosive to metals
• Specific target organ toxicity-single exposure hazard- respiratory system
• Oxidizing liquids

Effectiveness:  Average

• Results are observable without guidance
• Somewhat connected conceptually to the course material
• Time to results is low
• High failure rate

Difficulty: Medium

• Reactions of demos at non-standard conditions
• Procedures with some intermediate steps to results
• Some careful manipulations required

Safety Precautions:

• Eye protection required
• Gloves required
• Perform in a well-ventilated area
• Downdraft hood recommended
• Avoid exposure to gases, mists, and vapors
• Avoid release of reagents to the environment
• Do not expose to open flame
• Absorbent materials on hand
• ABC fire extinguisher on hand
• Sodium bicarbonate on hand

Class: Reduction/ Oxidation Reactions, Transition Metals and Coordination Compounds

Division: Organic Chemistry, General Chemistry Compounds

Home| Organic Chemistry Demonstrations