Copper acetylide

Copper(I) acetylide

Names
IUPAC name Dicuprous acetylide
Identifiers
CAS Number	1117-94-8 Y
3D model (Jmol)	Interactive image
ChemSpider	14318114 N
PubChem	19021056
InChI InChI=1S/C2.2Cu/c1-2;;/q-2;2*+1 N Key: SQDLRJMJSRRYGA-UHFFFAOYSA-N N InChI=1/C2.2Cu/c1-2;;/q-2;2*+1 Key: SQDLRJMJSRRYGA-UHFFFAOYAK
SMILES [C-]#[C-].[Cu+].[Cu+]
Properties
Chemical formula	C2Cu2
Molar mass	151.11 g·mol−1
Hazards
Main hazards	E Xn
US health exposure limits (NIOSH):
PEL (Permissible)	TWA 1 mg/m3 (as Cu)
REL (Recommended)	TWA 1 mg/m3 (as Cu)
IDLH (Immediate danger)	TWA 100 mg/m3 (as Cu)
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
N  (what is YN ?)
Infobox references

Copper(I) acetylide, or cuprous acetylide, is a chemical compound with the formula Cu₂C₂, known at least since 1856. In the common form (a monohydrate with formula Cu
2C
2.H
2O) it is a reddish solid, that easily explodes when dry.

Copper acetylide is a metal acetylide, a salt of the acetylide anion C2−
2 and the copper(I) cation Cu+
. It is similar to silver acetylide and calcium carbide, though it is not called carbide in literature.

Copper acetylide can be prepared by passing acetylene gas through copper(I) chloride solution in the presence of ammonia:

The acetylide then separates as a reddish precipitate.

When dry, copper acetylide is a heat and shock sensitive high explosive, more sensitive than silver acetylide.

Copper acetylide can form inside pipes made of copper or an alloy with high copper content, which may result in violent explosion. This was found to be the cause of explosions in acetylene plants, and led to abandonment of copper as a construction material in such plants. Copper catalysts used in petrochemistry can also possess a degree of risk under certain conditions.