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Nathan Coleman

What is the general oxidation state of copper?

Andrew McGregor  Follow

Stability depends on the hydration energy (enthalpy) of the ions when they bond to the water molecules. The Cu2+ ion has a greater charge density than Cu+ ion and thus forms much stronger bonds with water or we can say more hydration of cu2+occur as compared to cu+ due to high charge density releasing more energy. The extra energy needed for the second ionization of the copper is compensated by this released hydration energy which is much more than ionization energy required and we know that for stability energy released should be greater than absorbed, so considering that Cu+ ion loses an electron to become Cu2+ which can then release this hydration energy to become more stable.

In aqueous solution Cu+ disproportionate to Cu2+and Cu
2Cu+------>Cu2+ +Cu

I hope it will help.

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Aryan Chopra  Follow

Most of the chemistry of Cu involves the oxidation states 0 (the metal), +1, and +2. However, there is one important application that does have Cu in the +3 state. The superconductor YBa2Cu3O7 contains 2 Cu(II) and 1 Cu(III) ions. There are other Cu(III) oxides and fluorides and even a Cu(IV) fluoride Cs2CuF6.

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Brett Evill  Follow

YES

Copper(III) is most often found in oxides. A simple example is potassium cuprate, KCuO2, a blue-black solid.The most extensively studied copper(III) compounds are the cuprate superconductors. Yttrium barium copper oxide (YBa2Cu3O7) consists of both Cu(II) and Cu(III) centres. Like oxide, fluoride is a highly basic anion and is known to stabilize metal ions in high oxidation states. Both copper(III) and even copper(IV) fluorides are known, K3CuF6 and Cs2CuF6, respectively.

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Chami Rajakaruna  Follow

The quick answer is that the oxidation number of any element in its natural state is zero, including copper. However, if you mean copper in its compounds, copper is usually in the valence of 1 or 2. Copper salts that are +1 can be called cuprous, while those of +2 are sometimes called cupric. So, CuCl can be called cuprous chloride (or copper monochloride or copper(I) chloride). CuSO4 can be called cupric sulfate (or copper monosulfate or copper(II) sulfate).

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