Cuprous Chloride Powder CuCl · powder · CAS 7758-89-6
Bought for surface area, and limited by it. The powder dissolves and reacts faster than the granule — and oxidizes faster for exactly the same reason.
Chelora Chemicals is a cuprous chloride powder supplier and sourcing partner serving fine chemical, catalyst and synthesis buyers across the United States, with airtight packaging and a batch COA on every consignment.
- CAS Number
- 7758-89-6
- Chemical name
- Copper(I) chloride
- Molecular formula
- CuCl
- Molecular weight
- 99.00 g/mol
- Copper as Cu (theoretical)
- 64.2%
- Physical form
- Powder
- Appearance
- White — green indicates oxidation
- Transport
- UN 3077 · Class 9 · PG III
- HS Code
- 2827 39
Note: white is the specification; green is the failure. Pure copper(I) chloride is a white solid. Impure or air-exposed material looks green, because the copper(I) has gone to copper(II) chloride — and in water it disproportionates outright, 2 CuCl → Cu + CuCl₂. So color on this product is not cosmetic: a green cast means part of your copper has changed oxidation state, and no total-copper assay will show it, because the copper is all still there.
The reactive form of an unstable state
Copper(I) is an intermediate oxidation state. The powder gives you the most access to it — and the shortest window.
Why it matters: surface area cuts both ways — the powder reaches the reaction faster and the air faster, so it is bought to be used, not to be stored
When you want the surface area
Cuprous chloride powder is the same compound as the granular grade — white CuCl at 64.2% copper, sparingly soluble in water but dissolving readily in concentrated hydrochloric acid. What differs is particle size, and with it the amount of exposed surface.
That makes the powder the grade for reaction rate. In Sandmeyer chemistry, where an arenediazonium salt is treated with CuCl to give an aryl chloride, and in Gattermann–Koch benzaldehyde synthesis, the reagent needs to be available fast. The same applies to catalyst preparation and to dissolution into acid. The cost is shelf life: oxidation also happens at the surface, so the powder greens faster once air reaches it. Buy it to use, not to hold.
When the powder is the right choice
- Reaction rate matters. Sandmeyer, Gattermann–Koch and catalyst preparation all want fast availability.
- Dissolution into acid. More surface means it goes into concentrated HCl faster.
- Short time between opening and use. The powder rewards quick turnover and punishes storage.
- The granular grade, if it will sit in stock: cuprous chloride granules.
Handling character
Cuprous chloride is air-sensitive and a Class 9 dangerous good. Full detail is in the Safety section below.
| Parameter | Typical value |
|---|---|
| Appearance | White powder |
| Assay as CuCl | Per agreed specification |
| Copper as Cu | 64.2% theoretical |
| Copper(II) content | Per agreed specification — the real test |
| Particle size | Per agreed sieve specification |
| Insolubles in HCl | Per agreed specification |
Important: the figures above are indicative of commercial material and are offered for planning only. The batch certificate of analysis is the governing document.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Physical state | White solid; green if oxidized |
| Molecular weight | 99.00 g/mol |
| Copper as Cu, theoretical | 64.2% |
| Melting point | 423 °C |
| Boiling point | 1,490 °C |
| Water solubility | ≈ 0.0047 g per 100 mL at 20 °C |
| In concentrated HCl | Dissolves readily |
Physical constants compiled from public reference data for CAS 7758-89-6 and rounded for readability. Both size grades share the same chemistry and assay; they differ in surface area, which governs both reaction rate and rate of oxidation. Treat the table as orientation, not as a specification.
Where US industry uses cuprous chloride
Sandmeyer chemistry, catalysis, fine synthesis and CO recovery.
Sandmeyer & Gattermann–Koch chemistry
Treating an arenediazonium salt with CuCl gives an aryl chloride, a reaction of wide scope and generally good yields.
- Low copper(II) specified
- Fast dissolution in HCl
- Sealed small packs
Catalysis & polymerization
A catalyst in atom transfer radical polymerization and in Grignard 1,4-additions to unsaturated ketones.
- Surface activity specified
- Documented impurity profile
- Airtight packaging
Fine chemical & laboratory synthesis
Where the reagent is weighed, charged and consumed quickly, the powder is the convenient form.
- Reagent documentation on request
- Small sealed packs
- Retained sample held
Carbon monoxide separation
Its affinity for CO, with aluminum chloride, is used industrially to separate and recover carbon monoxide.
- High surface activity
- Consistent particle size
- Technical desk review on request
Copper oxychloride manufacture
Aqueous cuprous chloride is generated and air-oxidized to copper oxychloride, the compound’s largest single outlet.
- Bulk supply available
- See the downstream product
- Consistent assay
Import & compliance coordination
Industrial and catalytic uses take the ordinary import route; any pesticidal use does not.
- End use confirmed before quoting
- UN 3077 documentation prepared
- Broker coordination on request
Delivered to US plants and ports
We ship cuprous chloride powder to nominated delivery points across the United States. The regions below are destinations we serve — Chelora Chemicals is a sourcing and supply partner, not a US manufacturer, and does not hold US stock.
Gulf Coast
The largest US chemical cluster, and the usual entry point for bulk consignments.
- Houston & Galveston, TX
- New Orleans & Baton Rouge, LA
- Mobile, AL
Northeast
Container and bulk delivery into the mid-Atlantic and New England manufacturing belt.
- Newark & Elizabeth, NJ
- Philadelphia, PA
- Boston, MA
Southeast
Port-side delivery for the Carolinas, Georgia and Florida processing plants.
- Savannah, GA
- Charleston, SC
- Jacksonville, FL & Norfolk, VA
Midwest & Great Lakes
Inland rail and truck forwarding from the nearest coastal port to the industrial Midwest.
- Chicago, IL
- Detroit, MI
- Cleveland & Columbus, OH
West Coast
Pacific routing for West Coast processors and formulators.
- Los Angeles & Long Beach, CA
- Oakland, CA
- Seattle & Tacoma, WA
Southwest & Mountain
Inland delivery to interior states, forwarded from the Gulf or Pacific gateway.
- Dallas–Fort Worth, TX
- Phoenix, AZ
- Denver, CO
Importing into the United States
Cuprous chloride powder is a TSCA-regulated chemical substance. Under TSCA section 13 the importer of record, or its authorized agent, must certify to US Customs and Border Protection that each shipment either complies with TSCA or is not subject to it. We confirm the substance's TSCA Inventory status and agree in writing who files that certification before the first consignment moves.
Which party carries that duty follows the Incoterm. On FOB, CFR or CIF terms it is usually the US buyer; on DDP terms it can be the seller or its agent. Safety data sheets and labels are supplied to OSHA's updated Hazard Communication Standard, and the UN 3077 Class 9 transport documentation is prepared before booking.
| Item | How it works |
|---|---|
| Delivery points | Any nominated US plant, terminal or port of discharge |
| Incoterms quoted | FOB · CFR · CIF · DDP |
| Importer of record | Agreed in writing before the first shipment |
| TSCA certification | Section 13 positive certification filed at entry |
| Documentation | Batch COA, SDS, packing list, certificate of origin |
| Pack formats | 25 kg airtight drums |
Note: regional coverage describes where we deliver, not where we hold inventory. Lead time depends on producer scheduling and ocean transit to your nominated US port — we confirm both in the quotation.
How we supply cuprous chloride powder
Chelora Chemicals is a cuprous chloride supplier and sourcing partner, not a manufacturer. On the powder the binding constraint is time between opening and use — the same surface area you are paying for is what lets air at it.
We place your order with whichever qualified producer best matches your copper(II) limit and particle size, your price point and your delivery window, and confirm US import requirements before booking.
We will also tell you when the granular grade is the right buy. If the material will sit in stock or be drawn down slowly, granules will still be white when you reach the bottom of the drum.
- Copper(II) content specified, not just total copper. Oxidation is the failure mode and it is invisible in a total-copper assay, because the copper is all still there.
- Pack size matched to your draw-down rate. On a powder, a part-used drum is a degrading drum — smaller packs often cost less overall than waste.
- Airtight packaging as standard. Air exposure degrades this product faster in powder form than in any other.
- Particle size agreed up front. It governs reaction rate and shelf life together, and the two pull against each other.
- We will steer you to granules where that is right. For stock held over time, the granular grade keeps better.
- UN 3077 documentation prepared before booking. Class 9 on aquatic toxicity grounds; the paperwork is not optional.
Sealed in the size you will finish
25 kg airtight drums or smaller sealed packs — on a powder, pack size is a shelf-life decision.
25 kg airtight plastic drums
Sealed airtight drums, the default for an air-sensitive copper(I) compound.
1 kg · 5 kg units
Smaller sealed units so a part-used pack does not sit oxidizing between campaigns.
25 kg foil-lined bags
Barrier-lined sealed bags where drum handling is not wanted.
500–1,000 kg bulk bags
Liner-fitted bulk bags for high-volume operations with fast turnover.
Incoterms to suit you
Quoted on the Incoterm your purchasing team works to, with dangerous goods documentation filed before booking.
Trial / sample quantities
Small sealed packs dispatched for reaction and dissolution trials before a commercial order.
A Class 9 dangerous good — and air-sensitive
Cuprous chloride is harmful by ingestion and irritating to skin and eyes, and it is very toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects — which is what makes it a Class 9 dangerous good. The summary below is orientation only — the safety data sheet supplied with your specific batch is the authoritative document.
Classified hazards
H302Harmful if swallowed.H315Causes skin irritation.H319Causes serious eye irritation.H410Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects.
End use decides the import route. These copper compounds have industrial, catalytic, feed and in some cases pesticidal applications, and they do not all follow the same path into the United States. Where material is destined for a pesticidal use, the import is a pesticide import: it requires a Notice of Arrival, EPA Form 3540-1, filed with Customs, and any product sold or applied here must itself be EPA-registered under FIFRA, with that registration held by the registrant and never by a raw material supplier. For catalyst, electronics, metallurgical or other industrial use a different route applies, and feed use is a separate regulatory question again. Tell us the end use before we quote.
Storage
Store in sealed, airtight, moisture-barrier packaging in a cool, dry place, away from oxidizers and strong acids. Air is the enemy here: copper(I) oxidizes to copper(II) and the material greens. Keep packs closed, use opened packs promptly, and do not decant into open containers for storage. Bunded or contained storage is advised because of the aquatic hazard.
Handling
Handle with dust control, gloves and eye protection; the material is harmful if swallowed and irritates skin and eyes. Minimize the time packs are open — air exposure degrades the product as well as exposing the operator. Prevent any release to drains, watercourses or soil. Follow the controls in the batch SDS.
Transport
This material is classified as dangerous goods for transport on the basis of aquatic toxicity, normally shipped as UN 3077, Environmentally hazardous substance, solid, n.o.s., Class 9, Packing Group III. Marked and labeled packaging, a dangerous goods declaration and compliant documentation are required. We confirm and document the classification for your specific grade, packaging and destination before booking.
Every batch, documented
We verify documentation before dispatch so there are no surprises at your incoming-goods bench.
Specification agreed
Copper assay, hydration or oxidation state, particle size, impurity limits and end use confirmed before order placement.
Producer batch testing
The producing plant tests each batch against the agreed specification before release.
Documentation review
COA, SDS, import position and UN 3077 paperwork checked by our desk before booking.
Traceable dispatch
Each shipment is traceable to its producing batch, with full chain-of-custody records on request.
Why form decides shelf life
Copper(I) chloride is made by reducing a copper(II) source, and the compound’s defining property is that copper(I) is an unstable oxidation state. Pure CuCl is white; air oxidizes it toward copper(II) chloride and it greens; in water it disproportionates outright into copper metal and copper(II) chloride.
Both the reaction you want and the degradation you do not happen at the particle surface. A powder presents far more surface per unit weight than a granule, so it dissolves faster into acid, reacts faster in a Sandmeyer coupling, and oxidizes faster in a part-used drum. There is no formulation trick that separates those — they are the same physics.
That is why pack size is a technical decision on this grade rather than a commercial one. A 25 kg drum opened for a 2 kg charge and resealed four times will not deliver the same material on the fourth charge as on the first. Where draw-down is slow, either buy granules or buy smaller packs.
We do not publish operating process parameters here; this is background only. Full technical documentation accompanies every shipment, and any process-specific detail you need is best confirmed directly with our technical desk.
| Chemical family | Copper(I) chloride |
|---|---|
| Copper content | 64.2% — densest in this range |
| In-spec color | White; green means oxidized |
| Why powder | Surface area — faster dissolution and reaction |
| Cost of that | Faster oxidation once air reaches it |
| Classic use | Sandmeyer aryl chloride synthesis |
The copper chloride range and related compounds
The other copper chlorides and salts supplied from the same desk.
Cuprous chloride powder, answered
What is the difference between the powder and the granules?
Which grade should I buy?
Why does my powder look green?
How should I store an opened pack?
What is it used for?
How do I get it into solution?
What should I specify besides total copper?
Is it hazardous?
Do you supply cuprous chloride powder in the United States?
Do you manufacture this yourself?
Get a quote on cuprous chloride powder
Send us your copper(II) limit, particle size, and — importantly — how fast you will draw a pack down. On a powder that decides the pack size as much as your batch size does.