Tetrachlorocuprates

Tetrachlorocuprates are a class of copper compounds where copper is bonded to four chlorine atoms and creates a negatively charged polymorphic ion. Copper typically acts as the cation in most compounds; however, in tetrachlorocuprates it acts as the anion and bonds to metals or other cations.

Alkali Metals
Lithium Tetrachlorocuprate(II)

Sodium Tetrachlorocuprate(II)

Potassium Tetrachlorocuprate(II)

Rubidium Tetrachlorocuprate(II)

Cesium Tetrachlorocuprate(II)

Alkali Earth Metals
Calcium Tetrachlorocuprate(II)

Strontium Tetrachlorocuprate(II)

Barium Tetrachlorocuprate(II)

Other Cations
Ammonium Tetrachlorocuprate(II)

Bis(urea) Tetrachlorocuprate(II)

Synthesis
Tetrachlorocuprates can be easily synthesized. To make them, copper(II) chloride and another chloride are mixed in a concentrated solution of hydrochloric acid. The ratio of the ingredients is dependent on the oxidation state of the other cation chloride. +1 oxidation states are mixed in a stochiometric 2:1 mixture of the cation chloride to copper chloride respectively. In the cases of +2 oxidation state cations, the ratio of reactants is 1:1. HCl concentration does not have to be exact. Once the mixture is completed, the solution is concentrated by boiling the solution until solid tetrachlorocuprate(II) crystallizes out.

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