2038. Chalcopyrite

Nomenclature

CAS number: 1308-56-1
Cupric ferrous sulfide; copper pyrites; yellow copper; Chalkopyrite; Kupferkies.
CuFeS2; mol wt 183.52.
Cu 34.63%, Fe 30.43%, S 34.94%.

Description and references

Occurs as a mineral. It is an important copper ore found in Canada, Montana, Utah, Arizona, Tennessee, Chile, Peru, Bolivia, Europe, Japan. Prepd synthetically by treating KFeS2 with an ammoniacal soln of Cu+ ions: Schneider, J. Prakt. Chem. [2] 38, 569 (1888); 56, 415 (1897); Boon, Rec. Trav. Chim. 63, 69 (1954).

Properties

Yellow brass-colored or bronze-colored crystals. Metallic, greenish sheen. Tetragonal crystal system. d 4.1-4.3. mp 950°. Specific heat 0.1291. Hardness 3.5-4.0. Soluble in nitric acid, but dissolves faster in aqua regia. Practically insol in hydrochloric acid.

Note

Copper iron sulfide of the formula FeS.2Cu2S.CuS occurs as the mineral bornite.

Use

The ore as source of copper. The synthetic material in semiconductor research.