Question

What is the metallic ion in the compound Cu Cl2?

Answer 1

The ionic compound `CuCl_2` is a binary compound called Copper (II) Chloride.

This compound is composed of a metal cation of copper with a charge of `Cu^(+2)` and a non-metal chloride ion `Cl^(-1)`. It takes two Chloride `Cl^(-1)` to balance the Copper `Cu^(+2)`. This makes the formula `CuCl_2`.

The copper is the metal, it is located in the middle section of the periodic table known as transition metals. These metals may have more than one possible ionic charge. Copper can have a +1 charge `Cu^(+1)` or a +2 charge `Cu^(+2)`. The roman numeral in the formula name identifies the charge on the atom.

The `Cu^(+2)` ion is referred to as Cupric in a system known as Latin Naming, while the `Cu^(+1)` ion is called Cuprous.

So this compound can be named as Copper (II) Chloride or Cupric Chloride.

Here is a video which gives more information about using the stock naming system.

I hope this was helpful.
SMARTERTEACHER