What is Copper(I) chloride?
[[File:Copper(I) chloride.jpg|thumb|Green impure copper(I) chloride]] [[File:Copper(I)chloride crystal 01.jpg|thumb|White pure copper(I) chloride in yellow solution]] '''Copper(I) chloride''', also known as '''cuprous chloride''', is a [[chemical compound]]. Its chemical formula is CuCl. It contains copper in its +1 [[oxidation state]]. It also contains [[chloride]] [[ion]]s. ==Properties== Copper(I) chloride is white when pure. It does not dissolve in water. It is green when in air because of conversion to [[copper(II) chloride]]. It can react with [[wikt:Lewis base|Lewis bases]], a group of chemicals. <!--whatever that is-->It dissolves in [[hydrochloric acid]] easily. It dissolves in [[solution]]s that have [[ammonia]] in them. It absorbs [[carbon monoxide]]. It easily [[disproportionation|disproportionates]] into copper and copper(II) chloride. It reacts with ammonia and [[acetylene]] to make [[copper(I) acetylide]], a reddish explosive. ==Preparation== It can be made by [[reduction (chemistry)|reduction]] of copper(II) chloride. It was made at first by reacting copper with [[mercury(II) chloride]]. It can be made by heating copper(II) chloride very hot. Some [[chlorine]] is released, and copper(I) chloride is left behind. ==Uses== Copper(I) chloride is used to make a [[fungicide]], which is used to kill [[fungi]]. It is also used to make many [[organic chemistry|organic]] compounds. ==Related pages== *[[Copper(I) oxide]] *[[Copper sulfate]] [[Category:Chlorine compounds]]