Tribasic Copper Chloride TBCC · Cu₂(OH)₃Cl · CAS 1332-65-6
The copper that does not wreck your vitamins. Compared with copper sulfate it is more stable in feed, causes less oxidative loss of vitamins and other ingredients, blends better and lowers handling cost.
Chelora Chemicals is a tribasic copper chloride supplier and sourcing partner serving feed mineral producers and premix blenders across the United States, with a batch COA, SDS and UN 3077 documentation on every consignment.
- CAS Number
- 1332-65-6
- Chemical name
- Dicopper chloride trihydroxide
- Molecular formula
- Cu₂(OH)₃Cl
- Molecular weight
- 213.57 g/mol
- Copper as Cu (theoretical)
- 59.5%
- Crystal form
- Alpha — preferred as a copper source
- Particle size
- Free-flowing, typically 30–100 µm
- Transport
- UN 3077 · Class 9 · PG III
- HS Code
- 2827 41
Note: this is the same compound as copper oxychloride — the name follows the market. Cu₂(OH)₃Cl at CAS 1332-65-6 is sold as tribasic copper chloride or TBCC in animal nutrition and as copper oxychloride in crop protection. The chemistry is identical. What differs is the specification: feed service wants a free-flowing, non-dusty particle size around 30–100 µm for premix uniformity and feed-grade heavy metal limits, which fungicide-grade material is not specified for.
From etchant recovery to feed premix
TBCC is made the same way as crop-protection copper oxychloride. The divergence is in sizing and specification, not chemistry.
Why it matters: the alpha form is the one you want — the beta form cakes in storage, which in a premix operation means a blocked blender rather than a mild inconvenience
Why TBCC rather than copper sulfate
Tribasic copper chloride is a green, free-flowing powder, Cu₂(OH)₃Cl, carrying 59.5% theoretical copper. In animal nutrition it competes directly with copper sulfate, and it wins on several counts at once: it is more stable in feed, it causes less oxidative loss of vitamins and other sensitive ingredients in a premix, it blends better, and it lowers handling cost.
It also carries far more copper per tonne — 59.5% against 25.45% for copper sulfate pentahydrate, or 35.8% for the monohydrate. The alpha form is the one preferred as a copper source, and a free-flowing, non-dusty powder of roughly 30 to 100 µm is specified so the mineral distributes uniformly through the mix.
What feed service specifies that fungicide grade does not
- Particle size, 30–100 µm free-flowing. For uniform distribution through a premix and low dusting.
- Alpha crystal form. The preferred form; the beta form cakes in storage and jams handling.
- Feed-grade heavy metal limits. Cadmium, arsenic, lead and mercury matter more here than copper assay.
- The crop-protection grade of the same compound: copper oxychloride technical.
Handling character
TBCC is a Class 9 dangerous good on aquatic toxicity grounds. Full detail is in the Safety section below.
| Parameter | Typical value |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Green free-flowing powder |
| Copper as Cu | Per agreed specification |
| Theoretical Cu for pure Cu₂(OH)₃Cl | 59.5% |
| Crystal form | Alpha predominant |
| Particle size | Typically 30–100 µm, per agreed band |
| Heavy metals | Cd, As, Pb, Hg per agreed limits |
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 | Green crystalline powder |
| Molecular weight | 213.57 g/mol |
| Copper as Cu, theoretical | 59.5% |
| Water solubility | Insoluble |
| Density | 3.5 g/cm³ |
| Melting point | ≈ 250 °C |
| Versus copper sulfate | 59.5% vs 25.45% Cu; far more stable in premix |
Physical constants compiled from public reference data for CAS 1332-65-6 and rounded for readability. Commercial material sits below the theoretical copper figure. Treat the table as orientation, not as a specification.
Where US industry uses TBCC
Feed premixes across species, and wherever a stable copper source is needed.
Feed premixes & trace mineral blends
The principal use. A stable copper source for poultry, swine, cattle, horses, pets, aquaculture and zoo animal feeds.
- Free-flowing 30–100 µm
- Feed-grade heavy metal limits
- Low dusting specification
Vitamin-sensitive formulations
Causes less oxidative loss of vitamins and other sensitive ingredients than copper sulfate, which is the main formulation argument for it.
- Alpha form specified
- Consistent assay lot to lot
- Documented traceability
Copper density & freight
At 59.5% copper against 25.45% for copper sulfate pentahydrate, far less tonnage ships and stores for the same copper delivered.
- Lower freight per kg copper
- Bulk bag supply
- Compare the monohydrate
Blending & handling
Free-flowing and non-dusty, which lowers handling cost and improves mix uniformity against a caking or dusty alternative.
- Flow properties specified
- Bulk and bagged supply
- Second source held in reserve
Copper source selection
Worth knowing: the nutrition literature advises against cupric oxide as a copper supplement on bioavailability grounds. TBCC and copper sulfate are the supported forms.
- Honest advice on copper source
- See the cupric oxide page
- Technical desk review on request
Import & compliance coordination
Feed use is a separate regulatory route from pesticidal use of the same compound. Tell us which applies.
- End use confirmed before quoting
- UN 3077 documentation prepared
- Broker coordination on request
Delivered to US plants and ports
We ship tribasic copper chloride 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
Tribasic copper chloride 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 bags or bulk bags |
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 tribasic copper chloride
Chelora Chemicals is a tribasic copper chloride supplier and sourcing partner, not a manufacturer. On feed-grade material the things that decide whether a lot works are crystal form, particle size and heavy metals — not the headline copper figure, which barely varies.
We place your order with whichever qualified producer best matches your feed specification, your price point and your delivery window, and confirm US import requirements before booking.
We will also be straight about what this is: the same compound sold as copper oxychloride in crop protection. If you are buying for a fungicide formulation rather than a premix, that page is the right one and the specification is different.
- Crystal form specified, not assumed. Alpha is the form preferred as a copper source; beta cakes in storage, which in a premix operation blocks a blender.
- Particle size held to the feed band. Roughly 30–100 µm free-flowing, for uniform distribution and low dusting — fungicide-grade material is not specified for this.
- Feed-grade heavy metal limits agreed. Cadmium, arsenic, lead and mercury matter more here than the copper assay does.
- We tell you it is the same compound as copper oxychloride. Different market, different specification, same CAS — and you should know that before you compare quotes.
- Honest advice on copper source selection. If you ask us about cupric oxide for feed, we will tell you the nutrition literature advises against it.
- UN 3077 documentation prepared before booking. Class 9 on aquatic toxicity grounds; the paperwork is not optional.
Bagged or bulk bagged
25 kg bags or bulk bags — moisture-barrier, because damp material cakes and a caked premix additive is useless.
25 kg poly-lined bags
Moisture-barrier bags on stretch-wrapped pallets, UN-marked, the standard unit for premix operations.
500–1,000 kg bulk bags
Liner-fitted bulk bags for high-volume feed mineral blending lines.
Fiber drums
Sealed drums where extra moisture protection or extended storage is needed.
Small sealed units
Smaller sealed units for laboratory, trial and small-batch premix work.
Incoterms to suit you
Quoted on the Incoterm your purchasing team works to, with dangerous goods documentation filed before booking.
Trial / sample quantities
Small packs dispatched for flow, blending and uniformity trials before a commercial order.
A Class 9 dangerous good on aquatic grounds
Tribasic copper chloride is harmful by ingestion and irritating to eyes and skin, 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, moisture-barrier packaging in a dry, covered area away from strong acids. Keep dry: damp material cakes, and the beta crystal form cakes more readily than the alpha. For feed operations, store away from finished feed and observe your own segregation rules. 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. 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.
Same compound, different specification
Tribasic copper chloride is made exactly as crop-protection copper oxychloride is: by neutralizing spent cupric chloride etching liquor from printed circuit board manufacture, or by air-oxidizing cuprous chloride in brine at 60 to 90 °C. The chemistry does not know which market it is going to.
The divergence happens in the specification. Feed service wants a free-flowing, non-dusty powder of roughly 30 to 100 µm so the mineral distributes uniformly through a premix, and it wants feed-grade heavy metal limits. Fungicide formulation wants grindability and a different impurity profile. Both want the alpha crystal form — it is the one preferred as a copper source, and the beta form cakes in storage.
The nutritional case is specific and worth stating plainly. Against copper sulfate, TBCC is more stable in feed, causes less oxidative loss of vitamins and other ingredients, blends better and lowers handling cost. Against cupric oxide, the comparison is not close: published nutrition work finds copper oxide very poorly bioavailable and advises against its use as a supplement.
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 | Basic copper chloride |
|---|---|
| Same compound as | Copper oxychloride — CAS 1332-65-6 |
| Copper content | 59.5% theoretical |
| Why over copper sulfate | Premix stability; less vitamin loss |
| Feed specification | Free-flowing 30–100 µm, alpha form |
| Avoid for feed | Cupric oxide — poorly bioavailable |
The copper range and related compounds
The other copper sources and chlorides supplied from the same desk.
Tribasic copper chloride, answered
Is tribasic copper chloride the same as copper oxychloride?
Why choose TBCC over copper sulfate in feed?
What about cupric oxide as a copper source?
Why does crystal form matter?
What particle size should I specify?
Which impurities matter most in feed grade?
Which species is it used for?
Is it dangerous goods to ship?
Do you supply TBCC in the United States?
Do you manufacture this yourself?
Get a quote on tribasic copper chloride
Send us your copper assay, particle size band, heavy metal limits and US delivery point — and confirm this is for feed rather than crop protection, because the same compound is specified differently for each.