2643. Cupric Nitrate

Nomenclature

CAS number: 3251-23-8
Nitric acid copper(2+) salt (2:1); copper(II) nitrate.
CuN2O6; mol wt 187.56.
Cu 33.88%, N 14.94%, O 51.18%.
Cu(NO3)2.

Description and references

Prepn: Gmelins, Copper (8th ed.) 60B, 164-179 (1958); Addison, Hathaway, J. Chem. Soc. 1958, 3099. Toxicity: H. F. Smyth et al., Am. Ind. Hyg. Assoc. J. 30, 470 (1969).

Properties

Large, blue-green, deliquesc, orthorhombic crystals. Sublimes at 150-225°. mp 255-256°. Sol in water, ethyl acetate, dioxane; dissolves in and reacts vigorously with ether. Keep well closed.

Derivative

Trihydrate.

Nomenclature

CAS number: 10031-43-3
Gerhardite.
Cu(NO3)2.3H2O; mol wt 241.60.
Cu 26.30%, N 11.59%, O 59.60%, H 2.50%.

Properties

Blue, deliquesc, rhombic plates. mp 114.5°; d 2.05. Freely sol in water, alcohol. Practically insol in ethyl acetate. pH of 0.2 molar aq soln 4.0. Keep well closed. LD50 orally in rats: 0.94 g/kg (Smyth).

Derivative

Hexahydrate.

Nomenclature

CAS number: 13478-38-1
Cu(NO3)2.6H2O; mol wt 295.65.
Cu 21.49%, N 9.48%, O 64.94%, H 4.09%.

Properties

Blue, deliquesc prismatic crystals. Decomposes to trihydrate at 26.4°. d 2.07. Freely sol in water; sol in alc. Keep well closed.

Caution

Potential symptoms of overexposure may include eye and skin irritation.

Use

In light-sensitive reproductive papers; as ceramic color; as mordant and oxidizing agent in textile dyeing and printing; as reagent for burnishing iron, for giving a black “antique” finish to copper, for coloring zinc brown; in nickel-plating baths; in aluminum brighteners; in wood-preservatives, fungicides, herbicides; in pyrotechnic compositions; as catalyst component in solid rocket fuel; as nitrating agent for aromatic organosilicon compds; as catalyst for organic reactions.