Description
Copper naphthenate is a copper carboxylate made with naphthenic acid. Naphthenic acids are by-products of petroleum.
Copper naphthenate is not registered as a pesticide. It exhibits a wide range of efficacy toward most decay fungi, termites, and many other wood destroying insects. It is a general-use wood preservative. It is also used as a textile preservative. It has been used safely in greenhouse applications. It is recommended for the treatment of beehives, by which it has not harmed bees or significantly affected the quality of honey produced. Copper naphthenate is approved as an over the counter topical treatment for treating horses and ponies for thrush at concentrations of 37.5%. Livestock exposed to copper naphthenate-treated shelters and water troughs exhibited no adverse health effects.
References
[1] http://www.coppercare.com
[2] Mike H. Freeman (1992) Copper Naphthenate: An Effective Wood Pole and Crossarm Preservative, Proceedings of the first southeastern pole conference
Chemical Properties
blueish-green solid
Uses
Wood preservative, antifouling agent
Preparation
Copper(II) naphthenate is prepared by the reaction of copper(II) hydroxide or basic copper(II) carbonate with naphthenic acid in a hydrocarbon solvent or by the reaction of copper(II) sulfate with sodium naphthenate. It is insoluble in water. It is used to control fungi and mildew in textiles, woods, and in antifouling pigments. Copper(II) naphthenate is usually marketed as a solution containing 8% copper.
Hazard
Flammable, moderate fire risk (solution).
Toxic by ingestion and inhalation.
Health Hazard
Recommended Personal Protective Equipment: Goggles or face shield; plastic gloves (as for gasoline); Symptoms Following Exposure: Vapor causes mild irritation of eyes and mild irritation of respiratory tract if inhaled. Ingestion causes irritation to stomach. Aspiration causes severe lung irritation and rapidly developing pulmonary edema; central nervous system excitement followed by depression; General Treatment for Exposure: INHALATION: remove victim to fresh air. EYES: wash with copious amounts of water for at least 15 min. SKIN: wipe off and wash with soap and water. INGESTION: do NOT induce vomiting; guard against aspiration to lungs. ASPIRATION: enforce bed rest; give oxygen: call a doctor; Toxicity by Inhalation (Threshold Limit Value): 500 ppm; Short-Term Exposure Limits: Data not available; Toxicity by Ingestion: Grade 1; oral rat LD
50= 4-6 g/kg; Late Toxicity: Data not available; Vapor (Gas) Irritant Characteristics: Vapors are non-irritating to the eyes and throat; Liquid or Solid Irritant Characteristics: Minimum hazard. If spilled on clothing and allowed to remain, may cause smarting and reddening of skin; Odor Threshold: Data not available.
Flammability and Explosibility
Flammable
Chemical Reactivity
Reactivity with Water No reaction; Reactivity with Common Materials: No reaction; Stability During Transport: Stable; Neutralizing Agents for Acids and Caustics: Not pertinent; Polymerization: Not pertinent; Inhibitor of Polymerization: Not pertinent.
Agricultural Uses
Fungicide, Insecticide: Mercaptan scavenger in technical pesticide. Not
listed for use in EU countries. Registered for use in the
U.S.
Trade name
CHAPCO® Cu-NAP; CUNAPSOL®;
CUPRINOL®; TROYSAN® COPPER 8%; TROYSAN®
COPPER 11.5%; WILTZ®-65; WITTOX®-C
Safety Profile
A poison by ingestion.
A pesticide, A dangerous fire hazard when
exposed to heat or flame; can react with
oxidizing materials. To fight fire, use foam,
CO2, dry chemical.
