Assertion: Aquated copper

CHEMISTRY · Subjective · A Level · Chemistry · Transition metals and their chemistry · Transition metals and their chemistry

Problem

Assertion: Aquated copper(I) cation undergoes disproportionation:

2\mathrm{Cu}_{(\mathrm{aq})}^{+}\rightarrow\mathrm{Cu}_{(\mathrm{aq})}^{2+}+\mathrm{Cu}

. Reason: The hydration energy of

\mathrm{Cu}^{2+}

is higher than that of

\mathrm{Cu}^{+}

, which compensates for the second ionisation energy of copper.