2662. Cuprous Iodide

Nomenclature

CAS number: 7681-65-4
Hydro-Giene (Water Science).
CuI; mol wt 190.45.
Cu 33.37%, I 66.63%.

Description and references

Occurs in nature as the mineral marshite (red-brown crystals). Prepn: Kaufman, Pinnel, Inorg. Synth. 6, 3 (1960); Glemser, Sauer in Handbook of Preparative Inorganic Chemistry vol 2, G. Brauer, Ed. (Academic Press, New York, 2nd ed., 1965) p 1007.

Properties

Dense powder or cubic crystals (zinc-blende structure). Less photosensitive than CuBr or CuCl. mp 588-606°; bp ≈1290°; d425 5.63. Extremely insol in water; practically insol in dil acids, alcohol; sol in aq solns of NH3, alkali cyanides, thiosulfates, iodides; dec by concd H2SO4 and HNO3.

Use

As catalyst in organic reactions; as ice-nucleating chemical; as coating in cathode-ray tubes; as source of iodine in animal feeds; with HgI2 as temp indicator; bactericide.