[sandcrab]

hello.
i recently began an in-depth chemistry class during the summer, and i already have some questions. These are mainly by my own motivation, and my teacher refuses to help me devise the reaction that I'm trying to conceive.
Here is what i have so far.

8HCl + 2Fe₂O₃ => 4FeCl₂  + 4H₂O + O₂

That reaction is used to obtain ferrous chloride. I think i might be able to skip this one because FeCl₂ is probably sold somewhere.

Next Copper should replace the iron atom in FeCl₂ to make CuCl₂. Correct me if i'm wrong.

FeCl₂ + Cu => CuCl₂ + Fe

Say if i did the second reaction on a piece of copper wire or something of that nature. Would this essentially be "iron plating" the copper? Or just leaving an iron residue?? My ultimate goal here is to have a chemically bound metal like titanium, iron or nickle on a copper substrate. By the way, if my terminology is dead wrong, or if my equations are not properly balanced, please tell me so i can learn.

Thanks

[Yggdrasil]

Next Copper should replace the iron atom in FeCl₂ to make CuCl₂. Correct me if i'm wrong.

FeCl₂ + Cu => CuCl₂ + Fe

Iron is above copper in the activity series. This means that you cannot get copper to displace iron because it is more favorable for iron to displace copper.  If you want to make a reaction like this occur, you need to use a metal higher in the activity series than iron.

[sandcrab]

aaah duh. so like silver would work? like this:

AgCl2 + Cu => CuCl2 + Ag

And would that still be plating the copper or would it just leave a weakly attached residue. Im trying to do this without electroplating, keep in mind. But thanks for helping me out, i appreciate it.

[Dan]

I don't think silver chloride is soluble, AgCl anyway, could be wrong though. AgCl₂ would not be stable as far as I know. That would be a problem.

I think

AgCl₂ ------> AgCl + (1/2)Cl₂

Has a positive electrode potential.

[sandcrab]

this is no offense to your input, but i have no idea what that meant. I'm a chem n00b, so yeah. And my main question is: What on earth is an electrode potential???
Maybe ill just bury my nose in a textbook for a while, but help is appreciated.

Thanks

[Borek]

8HCl + 2Fe₂O₃ => 4FeCl₂  + 4H₂O + O₂

It is not going to happen, dissolving Fe₂O₃ you can get only FeCl₃.

That reaction is used to obtain ferrous chloride. I think i might be able to skip this one because FeCl₂ is probably sold somewhere.

Most Fe(II) salts are instable as they get oxidized by air oxygen to Fe(III). Most reliable source of Fe(II) is Mohr salt, Fe(NH₄)₂(SO₄)₂.6H₂O.

FeCl₂ + Cu => CuCl₂ + Fe

Won't work due to the reasons Dan explained.

[Borek]

this is no offense to your input, but i have no idea what that meant. I'm a chem n00b, so yeah. And my main question is: What on earth is an electrode potential???

More precisely Dan meant half-reaction potential, characteristic value describing redox systems. These values are usually listed in textbooks/handbooks as they are necessary for equilibrium calculations in redox processes (which on the lowest chemical knowledge level means prediction whether some reaction will go to the left or to the right).

AgCl₂ is a very exotic compound, as Ag in most salts is monovalent. AgCl is very weakly soluble. But if you will use AgNO₃ you will be able to electroplate copper just by sinking it in the silver nitrate solution. You will have to sand the copper surface first, as it is always covered with oxides.

[plu]

I think

AgCl₂ ------> AgCl + (1/2)Cl₂

Has a positive electrode potential.

The electrode potential would be negative (the reaction is spontaneous).

[Dan]

The electrode potential would be negative (the reaction is spontaneous).

I disagree, it will have a positive electrode potential, and hence be spontaneous.
deltaG = -nFE

[plu]

I disagree, it will have a positive electrode potential, and hence be spontaneous.
deltaG = -nFE

My apologies.  You are correct.  I had a brain lapse 

[deyicheng]

8HCl + 2Fe₂O₃ => 4FeCl₂  + 4H₂O + O₂

this reaction is wrong. the reaction of HCl and Fe₂O₃ can only give FeCl₃

6HCl + Fe₂O₃ = 2FeCl₃ + 3H₂O

FeCl₂ + Cu => CuCl₂ + Fe

this is also unable ,Because Iron is above copper in the activity series,But Cu can react with FeCl₃
 Cu + 2FeCl₃ =  CuCl₂ + 2FeCl₂ ,this is an oxy-red reaction.