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I wanted to know what reaction would occur between copper metal and sodium bicarbonate?

I believe that once in sodium bicarbonate solution, the copper metal will go into solution as copper ions and replace the sodium ions. Is this wrong?

Also, if it is indeed true, what would the reaction between copper ions and bicarbonate ions be?

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    $\begingroup$ There would be no reaction. $\endgroup$ – Ivan Neretin Aug 13 '16 at 21:25
  • $\begingroup$ why? is it because copper cannot replace sodium $\endgroup$ – user510 Aug 13 '16 at 21:40
  • $\begingroup$ You may put it this way, if you like. In my opinion, non-existence of something does not require a reason; existence does. $\endgroup$ – Ivan Neretin Aug 13 '16 at 23:23
  • $\begingroup$ Aqueous sodium bicarbonate indeed reacts with $\ce{Cu^2+}$ but not copper metal. see this:- chemiday.com/en/reaction/3-1-0-5035 $\endgroup$ – Nilay Ghosh Aug 14 '16 at 3:53
  • $\begingroup$ okay, but will there at least be copper ions in solution from the copper metal? $\endgroup$ – user510 Aug 14 '16 at 15:44
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First, reduction potentials.

Theory page https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reduction_potential?wprov=sfla1

Table of standard electrode potentials https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standard_electrode_potential_%28data_page%29?wprov=sfla1

Standard electrode potentials of sodium is -2.70V while copper (I) is 5.20V, single electron reduction of copper (II) has 1.59V, full reduction potential is 3.37V

Higher the reduction potential, more the tendency for the species itself to reduce. Reduction potential of Copper is much higher than Sodium.

So conclusion is no.

Lets say if copper can replace sodium. By how much? Under room conditions, RT/F*lne is approximately 0.06V, so the amount of copper ions that will replace sodium will be orders of magnitude 71.5 to 115 times dilute. In other words, non existant.

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  • $\begingroup$ The standards electrode potential go copper 2 is 0.337V and 0.159 for copper 2 copper ion. $\endgroup$ – user510 Aug 14 '16 at 1:47

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