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| Synonyms:Cupric nitrate trihydrate Copper(II) nitrate trihydrate Copper nitrate trihydrate Copper dinitrate trihydrate Nitric acid, copper(2+) salt, trihydrate Cupric nitrate 3H2O Molecular Formula: CuH3NO4 Molecular Weight: 144.57 HS Code: 2834299090 Grade: Industrial grade 99.5% Hazard Class:Class 5.1 | |||||||||
Cupric nitrate trihydrate, also known as copper trihydrate, is a copper nitrate trihydrate with the chemical formula Cu(NO₃)₂·3H₂O and CAS number 10031-43-3. It is a blue triclinic crystal, highly soluble in water, and possesses the dual chemical properties of both copper ions and nitrate ions: it is both a strong oxidizing agent and an excellent source of copper. Upon thermal decomposition, it produces copper oxide—making it widely used in industries such as copper-based catalyst preparation, ceramic and glass coloring, electroplating, wood preservation, and agricultural fungicides .
Basic information : Chinese name: Copper nitrate trihydrate (also known as copper nitrate trihydrate); English name: Cupric nitrate trihydrate; CAS number: 10031-43-3; Molecular formula: Cu(NO₃)₂·3H₂O; Molecular weight: 241.60; Appearance: Blue triclinic crystals; Extremely soluble in water (approximately 381 g/100 mL at 25℃), soluble in methanol and ethanol; Melting point: approximately 114.5℃ (melts and loses water of crystallization), decomposes at approximately 170℃; Density: approximately 2.32 g/cm³; Other names: Copper nitrate (trihydrate), copper nitrate trihydrate, etc.
Structurally , copper nitrate trihydrate consists of copper ions, two nitrate ions, and three coordinated water molecules: the copper ions carry two positive charges and are coordinated with two planar triangular nitrate ions and water molecules. The copper ions exist in the crystal in a hydrated coordinated form. The blue color comes from the absorption of specific wavelengths of visible light by the copper ions (d⁹ electronic configuration) (dd transition), which is the structural basis for its coloring function. The nitrogen in the nitrate ions is in a high valence state, which is the source of its oxidizing activity.
Physically , copper nitrate trihydrate is a blue triclinic crystal with no special odor; it is extremely soluble in water (approximately 381 g/100 mL at 25℃), and also soluble in methanol and ethanol; its melting point is approximately 114.5℃, it melts upon heating and loses its water of crystallization, and decomposes at approximately 170℃; its density is approximately 2.32 g/cm³; it is highly hygroscopic and requires sealed, moisture-proof storage.
Chemically , copper nitrate trihydrate is a strong oxidizing agent: nitrate ions release active oxygen when heated or coexisting with reducing agents, and decompose upon heating to produce copper oxide, nitrogen dioxide, and oxygen; in aqueous solution, copper ions and nitrate ions dissociate, and react with alkali to form copper hydroxide precipitate; contact with flammable materials or reducing agents may cause combustion or even explosion, and it is classified as a hazardous chemical oxidizing agent, which must be stored away from reducing agents and flammable materials; copper ions themselves have antibacterial activity.
Why does cupric nitrate trihydrate play these roles in industrial fields such as catalysts, ceramics and glass, electroplating, wood preservation, and pesticides? Its mechanism of action mainly includes the following:
Oxidizing mechanism : Nitrogen in nitrate is in a high oxidation state. When heated or coexisting with a reducing agent, it releases active oxygen, making copper nitrate a strong oxidizing agent. This is the basis for its participation in industrial oxidation reactions and its role in assisting combustion in fireworks.
The thermal decomposition mechanism of copper oxide : Copper nitrate decomposes upon heating to generate copper oxide (CuO) and release gas, which is a key pathway for preparing active components of copper-based catalysts and other copper compounds.
Copper ion coloring mechanism : Cu²⁺ has a d⁹ electronic configuration, which absorbs specific wavelengths of visible light to produce blue-green color - this is the common basis of ceramic glazes, glass coloring and the blue flame color of fireworks.
Hydrated ion coordination mechanism : Copper nitrate trihydrate dissociates into hydrated copper ions in water, exhibiting high coordination activity and rapid ion migration—this is the basis for electroplating deposition and catalytically active precursors.
Copper ion bioactivity mechanism : Copper ions have an inhibitory effect on microorganisms, which is the basis for the effectiveness of copper-based wood preservatives and agricultural fungicides.
1. Catalysts and Chemical Raw Materials
copper-based catalyst precursors
Copper oxide and copper-based catalysts are prepared by thermal decomposition or impregnation and used for catalytic oxidation, hydrogenation and other reactions.
Corresponding products: copper-based catalysts, copper oxide catalysts, etc.
Other copper compound raw materials
It serves as a raw material for preparing copper salts such as copper oxide, basic copper carbonate, and copper chloride.
Corresponding products: copper oxide, basic copper carbonate, copper chloride, etc.
Industrial oxidants
Its strong oxidizing properties are utilized in industrial oxidation reactions.
Corresponding products: industrial oxidants, oxidation reaction aids, etc.
2. Ceramics, Glass and Fireworks
Ceramic glazes and colorants
Copper salts impart a blue-green hue to ceramic glazes and are used in glaze and colorant formulations.
Corresponding products: ceramic glazes, ceramic pigments, glazed tiles, etc.
Glass coloring
Used for coloring blue-green glass.
Corresponding products: blue-green glass, glass colorants, etc.
Firework blue coloring agent
Copper ions produce blue flames, serving as the blue coloring component in fireworks and pyrotechnics, while also aiding combustion through their oxidizing properties.
Corresponding products: fireworks, pyrotechnics, aerial shells, etc.
3. Electroplating and Surface Treatment
Components of copper plating solution
It is used as a copper salt component in copper plating solutions for the deposition of copper plating layers.
Corresponding products: copper plating solution, copper-plated hardware, etc.
Chemical copper plating and metal surface treatment
Used in electroless copper plating and metal surface treatment processes.
Corresponding products: chemical copper plating solution, surface treatment agents, etc.
4. Wood preservation and pesticide fields
Copper source for wood preservatives
Copper source for use as a copper-based wood preservative, protecting outdoor wood from decay and insect infestation.
Corresponding products: copper-based wood preservatives, preservative-treated wood products, etc.
Agricultural copper fungicide
It is used as a raw material for copper-based fungicides for the prevention and control of diseases in fruit trees and vegetables.
Corresponding products: copper-based fungicides, agricultural fungicides, etc.
5. Textile and Analytical Chemistry
Textile mordants
It is used as a mordant in fabric dyeing to help fix the dye.
Corresponding products: textile mordants, dyed fabrics, etc.
Analytical chemical reagents
It is used as an analytical chemistry reagent for copper-related determinations and chemical analysis experiments.
Corresponding products: analytical reagents, copper determination reagents, etc.
III . Summary
Copper nitrate trihydrate (CAS 10031-43-3) is a copper nitrate trihydrate: one copper ion provides its blue-green color and antibacterial activity, while two nitrate ions provide strong oxidizing properties. Upon heating, it decomposes into copper oxide—the combination of "copper's color" and "nitric acid's activity" makes it applicable in a wide range of fields, from copper-based catalysts, ceramic and glass coloring, and copper plating solutions, to wood preservatives, agricultural fungicides, and textile mordants. While it is primarily used in chemical plants, kilns, and electroplating workshops, its coloring of ceramic tiles and glass, its anti-corrosion properties in wooden fences, its copper-plated hardware, and even its blue fireworks are already ubiquitous in daily life. Understanding its dual properties of copper ions and nitrate ions explains why it has become a versatile copper salt in industry.
