Synthesis and characterization of copper hydroxide acetate with a layered discoid crystal

Titration of copper acetate solution with a dilute NaOH solution to pH 6.5 and subsequent aging at 313 K yielded copper hydroxide acetate with an analytical composition of Cu2(OH)3.1(OCOCH3)0.9nH2O (n ∼ 0.7) and layered discoid crystals. The chemical composition, structure, and holistic trend in thermal behavior are similar to those of the previously known Cu2(OH)3(OCOCH3)H2O phase with layered rectangular crystals. The most obvious difference between the two compounds is morphology of the crystals. The other major differences are found in stability of bonding of the interlayer acetate ions to solid phase and behavior in anion-containing solutions. The interlayer acetate ions in the present compound begin to be dissociated from the solid phase at ∼343 K while those in the previous compound are not dissociated below 383 K. The reaction of the present compound is topotactic in Cl− and NO3− aqueous solutions but reconstructive in a SO42− aqueous solution while the reaction of the previous compound in those solutions is topotactic.