Copper acetate synthesis without hydrogen peroxide

Question

Usually, when people synthesize copper acetate, they use a mixture of acetic acid and hydrogen peroxide. I assume this is because the acetic acid actually reacts with the various oxides on the copper, rather than with the copper itself. However, assuming I don't have access to hydrogen peroxide, can I do a similar thing (but slower), just by waiting until fresh copper surface is exposed and then taking it out. Then, I will heat it up (or just wait) until oxide layer forms again, and keep repeating until copper is corroded away.

You can electrolyze a conc. aqueous solution of calcium acetate with copper electrodes. see wikipedia for the description of the process. — Nilay Ghosh, Jun 02 '16 at 03:53

score 2 · Accepted Answer · edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:57

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I placed 1tbs salt, 1L vinegar, and 200g solid copper in a jar. After 3 months in a dark place the solution was extremely dark blue - so blue I couldn't see through it. This is what happened (bottom answer). How may copper acetate ligands be manipulated to change colors?

Heat may be able to substitute for time and quicken the formation of copper acetate...I really haven't tried. Peroxide is dirt cheap. I would have used it if I had known.

edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:57

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answered Jun 02 '16 at 01:02

Dale

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I think this at least tries to answer the question. It would be better with more explanation, but I see no reason to delete it. – Martin - マーチン Jun 02 '16 at 13:29

score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Apr 10 '20 at 13:18

See my rapid prep 'Experimental Variants of Bleach Battery to Obtain Metal Oxides (like CuO)' where from Bleach (NaOCl), a piece of copper metal, and a noble metal cathode (nickel alloy coin), one can in a few minutes with microwave assisted heating, create a cloud of black CuO particles.

Add acetic acid to the CuO to prepare your Copper Acetate.

Copper acetate synthesis without hydrogen peroxide

2 Answers2