* Electrolysis: Passing an electric current through a solution of copper chloride can separate the copper and chlorine ions. The copper ions will be reduced at the cathode (negative electrode) to form solid copper, while the chloride ions will be oxidized at the anode (positive electrode) to form chlorine gas.
Equation:
CuCl₂(aq) → Cu(s) + Cl₂(g)
* Reaction with a more reactive metal: You can also react copper chloride with a metal more reactive than copper. For example, reacting copper chloride with zinc metal will result in the formation of zinc chloride and solid copper:
Equation:
CuCl₂(aq) + Zn(s) → ZnCl₂(aq) + Cu(s)
Therefore, copper chloride can be broken down into copper (Cu) and chlorine (Cl₂) through electrolysis or reaction with a more reactive metal.
