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Benedict's reagent
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== Composition and preparation == Benedict's reagent is a deep-blue aqueous solution. Each litre contains:<ref name=benedict></ref> * 17.3 g copper sulfate * 173 g sodium citrate * 100 g anhydrous sodium carbonate or, equivalently, 270 g sodium carbonate decahydrate Separate solutions of the reagents are made. The sodium carbonate and sodium citrate are mixed first, and then the copper sulfate is added slowly with constant stirring. Sodium citrate acts as a complexing agent which keeps Cu<sup>2+</sup> in solution, since it would otherwise precipitate. Sodium carbonate serves to keep the solution alkaline. In the presence of mild reducing agents, the copper(II) ion is reduced to copper(I), which precipitates in the alkaline conditions as very conspicuous red copper(I) oxide.
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