Compare the Difference Between Similar Terms

Difference Between

Home / Science & Nature / Science / Chemistry / Inorganic Chemistry / Difference Between Cuprous Oxide and Cupric Oxide

Difference Between Cuprous Oxide and Cupric Oxide

June 29, 2019 Posted by Madhu

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.

CONTENTS

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.

Key Difference - Cuprous Oxide vs 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.

Difference Between Cuprous Oxide and 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.

Difference Between Cuprous Oxide and Cupric Oxide in Tabular Form

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.

Reference:

1. “Copper(I) Oxide.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 17 May 2019, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “CopperIIoxide” By User Walkerma on en.wikipedia (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “CopperIoxide” (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia

Related posts:

Difference Between Bromine and ChlorineDifference Between Bromine and Chlorine Difference Between Atomic Hydrogen and Nascent HydrogenDifference Between Atomic Hydrogen and Nascent Hydrogen Difference Between VBT and CFTDifference Between VBT and CFT Difference Between Hexagonal Close Packing and Cubic Close PackingDifference Between Hexagonal Close Packing and Cubic Close Packing Key Difference Between SN1 and E1 ReactionsDifference Between SN1 and E1 Reactions

Filed Under: Inorganic Chemistry

About the Author: Madhu

Madhu is a graduate in Biological Sciences with BSc (Honours) Degree and currently persuing a Masters Degree in Industrial and Environmental Chemistry. With a mind rooted firmly to basic principals of chemistry and passion for ever evolving field of industrial chemistry, she is keenly interested to be a true companion for those who seek knowledge in the subject of chemistry.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Request Article

Featured Posts

Difference Between Coronavirus and Cold Symptoms

Difference Between Coronavirus and Cold Symptoms

Difference Between Coronavirus and SARS

Difference Between Coronavirus and SARS

Difference Between Coronavirus and Influenza

Difference Between Coronavirus and Influenza

Difference Between Coronavirus and Covid 19

Difference Between Coronavirus and Covid 19

You May Like

Difference Between Apple Juice and Apple Cider

Difference Between Apple Juice and Apple Cider

Difference Between Flattery and Compliment

Difference Between Flattery and Compliment

Difference Between Bivalent and Chiasmata in Meiosis

Difference Between Bivalent and Chiasmata in Meiosis

Difference Between Bitwise and Logical Operators

Difference Between Bitwise and Logical Operators

Difference Between Pores and Hair Follicles

Difference Between Pores and Hair Follicles

Latest Posts

  • What is the Difference Between Coconut Oil and Virgin Coconut Oil
  • What is the Difference Between Wintrobe and Westergren Tube
  • What is the Difference Between Coarctation and Hypoplastic Aortic Arch
  • What is the Difference Between Acquired Brain Injury and Traumatic Brain Injury
  • What is the Difference Between Sensory and Cerebellar Ataxia
  • What is the Difference Between Corneal Ulcer and Corneal Opacity
  • Home
  • Vacancies
  • About
  • Request Article
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2010-2018 Difference Between. All rights reserved. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy: Legal.