Laboratory preparation of copper oxide:copper salt such as CuSO4 reacts with alkali (NaOH) to generate Cu(OH)2, and then Cu(OH)2 is decomposed by heating to prepare CuO. CuSO4+2NaOH==Cu(OH)2↓+Na2SO4 Cu(OH)2=△=CuO+H2OHeat copper (Cu) to make copper react with oxygen (O2) to generate oxidationCopper (CuO). 2Cu+O2==2CuOCopper oxide can be prepared by heating metallic copper in air or decomposing copper hydroxide, copper nitrate, basic copper carbonate, etc.