Difference Between Cuprous Oxide and Cupric Oxide

The key difference between cuprous oxide and cupric oxide is that cuprous oxide has a dark red colour whereas cupric oxide has a black colour.

Both cuprous oxide and cupric oxide are compounds of the chemical element copper. These oxides contain different oxidation states of copper. Moreover, in cuprous oxide, there is a +1 oxidation state, and in cupric oxide, there is a +2 oxidation state.

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Cuprous Oxide
3. What is Cupric Oxide
4. Side by Side Comparison – Cuprous Oxide vs Cupric Oxide in Tabular Form
5. Summary

What is Cuprous Oxide?

Cuprous oxide is an oxide of the chemical element copper, which has the +1 oxidation state of copper. Therefore the IUPAC name of cuprous oxide is copper(I) oxide. It is an inorganic compound and has the chemical formula Cu₂O. Additionally, if we look at its structure, two copper atoms are in association with one oxygen atom. Besides, this compound has a red colour. Naturally, we can find it as the reddish mineral, cuprite.

Difference Between Cuprous Oxide and Cupric Oxide

Figure 01: Cuprous Oxide

Furthermore, the most common way to produce this compound is via oxidation of the copper metal.

4 Cu + O₂ → 2 Cu₂O

Moreover, it forms on silver-plated copper parts if they are exposed to moisture after damaging the silver layer. We call it corrosion or red plague.

When considering properties, cuprous oxide exists as a solid, and it is diamagnetic. It can dissolve in concentrated solutions of ammonia and form a complex; [CuNH₃)₂]⁺. Besides, this complex easily oxidizes and forms a blue coloured complex, which is [Cu(NH₃)₄(H₂O)₂]²⁺.

What is Cupric Oxide?

Cupric oxide is an oxide of the chemical element copper, and it has the chemical formula CuO. Here, one copper atom associates one oxygen atom. Copper(II) oxide is its IUPAC name. It occurs as a black solid and is very stable. Besides, this compound naturally occurs as the mineral tenorite. Also, it is a precursor for many copper containing compounds.

Key Difference - Cuprous Oxide vs Cupric Oxide

Figure 02: Cupric Oxide

Furthermore, we can produce this compound via pyrometallurgy on a large scale. It occurs in a monoclinic crystal system. Here, the copper atom associates with four oxygen atoms in a square planar configuration. Notably, it is a p-type semiconductor.

What is the Difference Between Cuprous Oxide and Cupric Oxide?

Cuprous oxide is Cu₂O while cupric oxide is CuO. The key difference between cuprous oxide and cupric oxide is that cuprous oxide has a dark red colour whereas cupric oxide has a black colour. The IUPAC name of cuprous oxide is copper(I) oxide while the IUPAC name of cupric oxide is copper(II) oxide.

Moreover, in cuprous oxide, there is a +1 oxidation state while in cupric oxide, there is a +2 oxidation state. A further difference between cuprous oxide and cupric oxide is that cuprous oxide occurs naturally as the reddish mineral, cuprite where cupric oxide occurs as the mineral tenorite.

The below infographic shows more comparisons related to the difference between cuprous oxide and cupric oxide.

Summary – Cuprous Oxide vs Cupric Oxide

In brief, cuprous oxide and cuprous oxide are oxide compounds of copper metal. The key difference between cuprous oxide and cupric oxide is that cuprous oxide has a dark red colour whereas cupric oxide has a back colour.