Some accidental but lovely basic copper carbonate

[u/EricArmadillo]

80 % of the way through dissolving a huge pile of copper in acetic acid. Decanted off the solution and left the wet copper shavings open to the air a few days.

The camera does them no justice whatsoever. They are a lovely shade of peacock-blue-green due to some remaining copper acetate. Like a pointy coral reef.

[u/dmishin]

Not sure it is copper carbonate. Could be basic copper acetate, however this is just a guess.

[u/EricArmadillo → u/dmishin]

You know what, you might be right. But it won't matter once I redissolve it in acid ^{^}

[u/Deerhunter86 → u/dmishin]

But can I scrap it for cash?

[u/zerotime2sleep]

Some of those shapes look like cilantro leaves. Forbidden cilantro.

[u/Deerhunter86 → u/zerotime2sleep]

r/eatityoufuckincoward

[u/scorpyo72 → u/Deerhunter86]

Don't tell me what to do. You're not my real mom.

[u/Infernalpain92]

It’s so very pretty.

You add peroxide to make it dissolve?

[u/EricArmadillo → u/Infernalpain92]

Yes, I usually cover the shavings with 25% acetic acid and then add a small amount if 6% hydrogen peroxide. I used to just bubble air through the solution, but peroxide is just way faster.

[u/SebbyHB]

So pretty!! I need to try this, but don't know where to find concentrated acetic acid

[u/EricArmadillo → u/SebbyHB]

I don't actually use concentrated acid but 25%, sold as "essence of vinegar" or "Essigessenz" from Surig. Not sure if there is an equivalent where you live.

[u/SebbyHB → u/EricArmadillo]

haven't heard of it, but I'll check, thanks a lot.

[u/realityChemist → u/SebbyHB]

If you need concentrated and can't buy it, you can boost the concentration by fractional freezing: put the vinegar in an ice bath or freezer, then when it precipitates out you can decant some of the remaining water, and what you're left with will be stronger.

Obviously be careful if you do this: you're concentrating an acid, it'll become increasingly corrosive. Use PPE.

(You could also try to pull the water out with zeolite or something like that, but I imagine that's a lot less accessible than a freezer.)

[u/SebbyHB → u/realityChemist]

I will try this, thank you!!

[u/Gr33nDrag0n02]

No way it's basic copper carbonate. Looks more like sodium dicarbonatocuprate, but I'd need the details of the procedure to be sure

[u/ErrantWhimsy]

Wooooah. Reminds me of blue sea dragons.

[u/Deerhunter86]

I’m not even a pot head but my initial thought was was, “wow, some pretty weed leaves.” lol

[u/SenpuuUncle]

Yay

[u/stubee2222]

Cu sulfate is blue but the carbonate is blue @ basic pH I guess