Cupric carbonate is also called Copper(II) carbonate with chemical formula CuCO₃. With the CAS registry number 1184-64-1, it is a blue-green compound. The substance has the EINECS registry number 214-671-4. It is stable that incompatible with strong acids. In addition, it is insoluble in water, found effective in melting ice, soluble in ethanoic acid. Cupric carbonate is non-hazardous for air, sea and road freight.

Properties: Copper can slowly acquire a dull green coating in moist air. The green material is a 1:1 mole mixture of Cu(OH)₂ and CuCO₃. Basic copper(II) carbonate occurs naturally as malachite (Cu₂(OH)₂CO₃) and azurite (Cu₃(OH)₂(CO₃)₂). Cupric carbonate reacts with acids and gives carbon dioxide and corresponding copper(II) salts of that acid. Otherwise. Cupric carbonate will decompose at 290°C and form copper(II) oxide. The response equations are as the following:

CuCO₃ + 2 HCl → CuCl₂ + H₂O + CO₂ (g)
CuCO₃ + H₂SO₄ → CuSO₄ + H₂O + CO₂ (g)
CuCO₃ → CuO + CO₂(g)

Preparation: Pure Cupric carbonate is obtained from basic copper carbonate in the presence of carbon dioxide at 180 °C and 4.6 MPa (46 atm) pressure. Cupric carbonate is prepared by combining aqueous solutions of copper sulfate and sodium carbonate. Finally, Basic cupric carbonate will precipitate from the solution:

2 CuSO₄ + 2 Na₂CO₃ + H₂O → Cu₂(OH)₂CO₃ + 2 Na₂SO₄ + CO₂

Uses: Cupric carbonate was formerly much used as a pigment, and is still in use for artist's colours. It has also been used in some types of make-up, like lipstick, although it can also be toxic to humans. It also has been used for many years as an effective algaecide in farm ponds and in aquaculture operations. It can be used to copper plate a metallic surface by adding sulfuric acid and heat it then passing a charge through it with the metal in the liquid. This process is known as electroplating. Cupric carbonate can also be used to manufacture signal flare, fireworks, paint, other copper salt and so on.

Descriptors computed from structure of Cupric carbonate:
(1)Canonical SMILES: C(=O)([O-])[O-].[Cu+2]
(2)InChI: InChI=1S/CH2O3.Cu/c2-1(3)4;/h(H2,2,3,4);/q;+2/p-2
(3)InChIKey: GEZOTWYUIKXWOA-UHFFFAOYSA-L

Toxicity of Cupric carbonate: