Synthesis of the copper pigment malachite: making tempera paint

Students synthesize the copper pigment malachite, then use the pigment to prepare egg tempera paint. Students explore “stoichiometry (excess reactants and yields), solubility, precipitation, and properties of emulsions” in this Journal of Chemical Education article by Sally D. Solomon, Susan A. Rutkowsky, Megan L. Mahon, and Erica M. Halpern.

The first half of this experiment uses standard glassware and household materials.

Note: The second half of the experiment (synthesis of the copper pigment Verdigris) calls for 2.0 M NaOH and is likely not suitable for at-home use.

This laboratory is suitable for high school or undergraduate general chemistry lab courses.

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/ed200096e

Materials

• Balance (this $12 scale from Amazon works great!)
• ~6 g copper sulfate pentahydrate (root killer)
• ~3 g Na₂CO₃ (sodium carbonate, washing soda)
• 10 mL graduated cylinder (I love this $17 graduated cylinder kit from Amazon)
• Large filter paper
• Funnel
• Ice
• 1 egg

Allergy warning

This experiment is not suitable for students with egg allergies.

The author of this post is:

Natalie Ulrich

I’m a chemistry professor at Maryville University in St. Louis, MO. I teach general and organic chemistry, have three kids, and love to hike, fish, travel, and spend time with my family.

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