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Chemistry Forums for Students => High School Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: 5ruijie on October 16, 2006, 08:52:03 AM

Title: Does copper dissolve in concentrated NaCl?
Post by: 5ruijie on October 16, 2006, 08:52:03 AM

If I carry out an electrolysis of concentrated NaCl with copper as my electrodes, what will be my result? And will copper dissolve in the concentrated NaCl?

Title: Re: Does copper dissolve in concentrated NaCl?
Post by: Morphic flip on October 16, 2006, 09:15:18 AM

Well I wouldn`t want have to wait for it to happen.
Not many chemicals dissolve copper and NaCl isn`t one of them.
H₂SO₄ is used for copper mining.

Title: Re: Does copper dissolve in concentrated NaCl?
Post by: constant thinker on October 16, 2006, 09:31:10 PM

I've used copper as an electrode for electrolysis. What will happen is on the cathode (positive electrode) the copper will oxidize. The oxidized copper does not dissolve into water. If you want to carry out electrolysis of water use graphite rods for your electrodes. If your just trying to dissolve copper use a concentrated mineral acid. Both Cu(I) and Cu(II) oxides are insoluble in water.

Are you sure you don't mean HCl? I've never heard of a salt being used as a solvent.

Title: Re: Does copper dissolve in concentrated NaCl?
Post by: Donaldson Tan on October 17, 2006, 03:52:58 PM

A strong oxidising solution may dissolve copper.

Title: Re: Does copper dissolve in concentrated NaCl?
Post by: zwp920 on October 18, 2006, 04:24:28 AM

Generally speaking , the material on the  cathode did not dissolve at the electroanalysis reaction.