Copper(I) Acetylide

Copper acetylide is a reddish solid, also called cuprous acetylide or cuprous carbide with the formula Cu 2 C 2. It is a primary explosive with a heat sensitivity similar to that of silver acetylide and a high shock and friction sensitivity. It has very few applications other than in research due to its instability making it quite dangerous for use in detonators. It formed in small quantities in copper or copper alloy pipes in acetylene plants and has been known to have detonated and caused accidents.

Synthesis
Copper acetylide is made by bubbling acetylene gas through a solution of copper(I) chloride, which can be made by adding copper(I) chloride to a solution of ammonium hydroxide until it all dissolves. Acetylene gas is then passed through the solution precipitating out the copper acetylide as a red solid. This can then be filtered out of the solution and carefully dried.

CuCl2 + C2H2 -> CuC2v + 2HCl

Safety
The copper chloride solution should not be shaken more than necessary and weak stirring is recommended in order to reduce the oxidation of the solution by atmospheric oxygen.

If possible plasticware should be used in order to prevent the release of dangerous glass shrapnel. Acetylide is quite explosive even when wet and acetylene is known for its instability

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