Nomenclature
CAS number: 75-20-7
Acetylenogen.
C
2Ca; mol wt 64.10.
C 37.47%, Ca 62.52%.
CaC
2.
Description and references
Prepn: Ehrlich in Handbook of Preparative Inorganic Chemistry Vol.
1, G. Brauer, Ed. (Academic Press, New York, 2nd ed., 1963)
p 943. Review: Brennan, J. Electrochem.
Soc. 99, 61c (1952).
Properties
Grayish-black, irregular lumps or orthorhombic
crystals; dec by water with evolution of acetylene leaving a residue
of lime. d 2.22; mp 2300°. Dangerous when wet.Use
Generating acetylene gas for lighting purposes (1
kg of carbide yields ≈300 liters acetylene); as reducing agent, e.g.,
for direct reduction of copper sulfide to metallic copper; signal
fires for marine service; manuf of calcium, iron, alloys, lampblack,
cyanamide; welding and cutting metals.