Nomenclature
CAS number: 7440-50-8
Description and references
Cu; at. wt 63.546; at. no. 29; valences 1,
2. Group IB (11). Occurrence in the earth's crust: 70 ppm; also
present in seawater: 0.001-0.02 ppm. Two naturally occurring isotopes:
63 (69.09%), 65 (30.91%); nine artificial isotopes: 58-62, 64, 66-68.
One of the earliest known metals. Found in nature in its native
state; also in combined form in several minerals including chalcopyrite, q.v., chalcocite, bornite, (Cu5FeS4), tetrahedrite (Cu12Sb4S13), enargite (Cu3AsS4), antlerite (Cu3H4O8S). Extraction
from ores: Clark-Hawley, Encyclopedia of
Chemistry (Reinhold, New York, 2nd ed., 1966) p 288.
Metallurgy of copper and its alloys: Metals
Reference Book vols. 1, 2, C. J. Smithells,
Ed. (Butterworth's, London, 3rd ed., 1962). A trace element essential
to many plants and animals. Occurs in biological complexes such as pheophytin (analog of chlorophyll), hemocyanin, tyrosinase and ceruloplasmin, q.q.v. Reviews of copper and copper compounds: ACS Monograph Series no. 122,
entitled “Copper,” A. Butts, Ed. (Reinhold, New York, 1954) 936 pp;
Massey, “Copper” in Comprehensive Inorganic
Chemistry vol. 3, J. C. Bailar, Jr. et
al., Eds. (Pergamon Press, Oxford, 1973) pp 1-78; W. M. Tuddenham,
P. A. Dougall, Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of
Chemical Technology vol. 6 (Wiley-Interscience,
New York, 3rd ed., 1979) pp 819-869. Book: Inflammatory Diseases and Copper, J. R. J. Sorenson,
Ed. (Humana Press, Clifton, NJ, 1982) 622 pp. Review of role in human
diseases: G. J. Brewer, Curr. Opin. Chem.
Biol. 7, 207-212 (2003); of toxicology and
human exposure: Toxicological Profile for
Copper (PB2004-107333, 2004) 318 pp.
Properties
Reddish, lustrous, ductile, malleable metal; face-centered
cubic structure; commercially available in the form of ingots, sheets,
wire or powder. Becomes dull when exposed to air. In moist air gradually
becomes coated with green basic carbonate. d 8.94. mp 1083°. bp 2595°. Mohs' hardness 3.0. Resistivity 1.673 microohm-cm. Heat
of fusion 48.9 cal/g; heat of vaporization 1150 cal/g. Heat capacity
at constant pressure (solid) 0.092 cal/g/°C (20°), (liq) 0.112 cal/g/°C.
E0 (aq) Cu+/Cu +0.521 V; E0 (aq)
Cu2+/Cu +0.337 V. Very slowly attacked by cold hydrochloric
or dil sulfuric acid; readily by dil nitric acid, and by both hot
concd H2SO4 and HBr. It is also attacked by
acetic and other organic acids. Slowly sol in ammonia water. Water-soluble
cupric salts yield with sodium hydroxide a bluish-green precipitate
of cupric hydroxide which is changed to black cupric oxide on warming.
Potassium ferrocyanide produces a brownish-red precipitate of copper
ferrocyanide. Hydrogen sulfide produces in acid solns a black precipitate
of cupric sulfide which is sol in soln of sodium cyanide. Aluminum,
iron or zinc precipitate metallic copper from its solns.Caution
Potential symptoms of overexposure
to dusts and mists are irritation of eyes, nose, pharynx; nasal perforation;
metallic taste; dermatitis. Potential symptoms of overexposure to
fumes are irritation of eyes, upper respiratory system; metal fume
fever (chills, muscle aches, nausea, fever; dry throat, cough, weakness,
lassitude); metallic or sweet taste; discoloration of skin and hair.
See NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical
Hazards (DHHS/NIOSH 97-140, 1997) p 76.Use
Manuf bronzes, brass, other copper alloys, electrical
conductors, ammunition, copper salts, works of art. Catalyst. Absorption
of oxygen.