Paris green explained

Paris green
Hex:	50C878
Source:	Maerz and Paul^[1]
Isccname:	Vivid yellowish green

Paris green (copper(II) acetate triarsenite or copper(II) acetoarsenite) is an arsenic-based organic pigment. As a green pigment it is also known as Mitis green, Schweinfurt green, Sattler green, emerald, Vienna green, Emperor green or Mountain green. It is a highly toxic emerald-green crystalline powder^[2] that has been used as a rodenticide and insecticide,^[3] and also as a pigment.

It was manufactured in 1814 to be a pigment to make a vibrant green paint, and was used by many notable painters in the 19th century. The color of Paris green is said to range from a pale blue green when very finely ground, to a deeper green when coarsely ground. Due to the presence of arsenic, the pigment is extremely toxic. In paintings, the color can degrade quickly.

Preparation and structure

Paris green may be prepared by combining copper(II) acetate and arsenic trioxide.^[4] The structure was confirmed by X-ray crystallography.^[5]

Notes and References

1. The color displayed in the color box above matches the color called emerald green in the 1930 book by Maerz and Paul A Dictionary of Color New York:1930 McGraw-Hill; the color emerald green is displayed on page 75, Plate 26, Color Sample J10.
2. Web site: Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet. NJ Dept. of Health and Senior Services. 2011-02-07.
3. 41829377. Dangers in the Manufacture of Paris Green and Scheele's Green. Monthly Review of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 5. 2. 78–83. 1917.
4. "H.Wayne Richardson, "Copper Compounds" in Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry 2005, Wiley-VCH, Weinheim.
5. 10.1524/zkri.1977.145.1-2.35. Die Kristallstruktur von Cu₂As₃O₆CH₃COO. 1977. Pertlik. F.. Zeitschrift für Kristallographie. 145. 1–2. 35–45. 1977ZK....145...35P.