insoluble in H2O, ethanol; soluble in KCN solution
form
Powder
Specific Gravity
2.92
color
White-beige to greenish
Water Solubility
Practically insoluble in water and alcohol. Soluble in ammonium hydroxide, aqueous ammonia, pyridine and N-methylpyrrolidone.
Sensitive
air sensitive
Merck
14,2661
BRN
3587244
Solubility Product Constant (Ksp)
pKsp: 19.46
Exposure limits
TLV-TWA 1 mg Cu/m3 (ACGIH).
Stability
Stable. Incompatible with acids, bases, magnesium. Reacts violently with oxidizing agents, nitrates. Reaction with acid releases highly toxic gas (HCN).
Copper(I) cyanide is commonly used as a polymerization catalyst. The compound is useful in organic synthesis, as a catalyst, reagent in the preparation of nitriles(sandmeyer reaction). It is also used in electroplating copper and iron, silver plating, brass plating, and copper-tin alloy plating. It is used to make phthalocyanine dyes and pigments.
