How can CuO be synthesized from CuSO4 and KOH?

How do you get a stable pure form of Copper (II) Oxide when you react Copper (II) Sulfate with Potassium Hydroxide?
A. Y. Wong

You'll form a blue, bulky precipitate of Cu(OH)2 first, according to

CuSO4(aq) + 2 KOH(aq) right arrow K2SO4(aq) + Cu(OH)2(s)

If you add too much KOH, the precipitate will dissolve (and you get an intensely blue solution of complex copper ions). Add it a little at a time until you see no more precipitate form.

Filter off the copper(II) hydroxide, and wash it to remove the soluble potassium sulfate. Pour the clean precipitate into an evaporating dish and dry it very gently:

Cu(OH)2(s) CuO(s) + H2O(g)

You should see black powder form. That's the copper(II) oxide. If you heat it too much, it will decompose further into copper(I) oxide and oxygen.

Author: Fred Senese senese@antoine.frostburg.edu


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