HCHO + 2 CuSO4 + 4 NaOH → HCOOH + Cu2O + 2 Na2SO4 + 2 H2O
This is an oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction:
2 CuII + 2 e- → 2 CuI (reduction)
C0 - 2 e- → CII (oxidation)
CuSO4 is an oxidizing agent, HCHO is a reducing agent.
Reactants:
- HCHO – Formaldehyde
, Methanal
- Other names: Methyl aldehyde
, Methylene glycol
, Methylene oxide
- Appearance: Colorless gas
; Colourless gas with pungent odour
; Colourless liquid with pungent odour
; Nearly colorless gas with a pungent, suffocating odor. [Note: Often used in an aqueous solution (see specific listing for Formalin).]
- Other names: Methyl aldehyde
- CuSO4 – Copper(II) sulfate
- NaOH
Products:
- HCOOH – Formic acid
, Methanoic acid
- Other names: Carbonous acid; Formylic acid; Hydrogen carboxylic acid; Hydroxy(oxo)methane; Metacarbonoic acid; Oxocarbinic acid; Oxomethanol
, Hydrogen carboxylic acid
, Aminic acid
- Appearance: Colorless fuming liquid
; Colourless fuming liquid with pungent odour
; Colorless liquid with a pungent, penetrating odor. [Note: Often used in an aqueous solution.]
- Other names: Carbonous acid; Formylic acid; Hydrogen carboxylic acid; Hydroxy(oxo)methane; Metacarbonoic acid; Oxocarbinic acid; Oxomethanol
- Cu2O – Copper(I) oxide
- Na2SO4
- H2O – Water, oxidane