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What is Cuprous Oxide?

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Cuprous oxide is a compound of the metal copper. It is one of the most important copper compounds in terms of commercial use and research. The material is used in process control, water treatment, super high purity reagents, and as a catalyst in polymerization of specific polymers. Aside from its industrial uses, the compound is also used for a variety of consumer goods. For example, it is used in the manufacture of wood preservatives.

The chemical CuO is a solid with a density of 6.004 g/cm3 and a melting point of 1235 deg C. Although it is practically insoluble in water, it can be dissolved in ammonia, dilute sulfuric acid, or nitric acid. Interestingly, it is not only soluble in ammonia, but in concentrated hydrochloric acid as well. In fact, it can be oxidized into copper nitrate. However, this is only a minor feat, since the majority of the available supply is used for this purpose.

The most effective application of the compound is in its role as a catalyst, albeit a modest one. In addition, it is a precursor for a number of other copper containing compounds. As such, it is often used in the manufacture of various products, such as pigments for ceramics and glass. It also happens to be an effective anti-corrosive, making it a useful ingredient in the construction industry.

Despite its numerous practical applications, the real reason it is often overlooked is because it is not readily accessible. Luckily, it can be manufactured on a large scale through pyrometallurgy.


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