Sciencemadness Discussion Board

which is the best solvent can dissolve CuCN?

millerxia - 23-5-2008 at 00:05

i tend to use CuCN in the lab, anyone who can tell me which is the best solvent can dissolve CuCN?

waiting for your help. thanks a lot

MagicJigPipe - 23-5-2008 at 01:51

From this site:

http://www.environmentwriter.org/resources/backissues/chemic...
Quote:
Copper cyanide is soluble in ammonium hydroxide, hydrochloric acid, potassium cyanide, and alkali cyanide; and practically insoluble in water, alcohol, and cold dilute acids. It decomposes at its boiling point, and in nitric acid and boiling dilute hydrochloric acid.


Note that if you dissolve it in any acid it will release HCN just like any other alkali(ne earth) or metal cyanide. So, I suppose your best bet would be ammonia solution which, I'm guessing, is possibly due to some complex.

According to the MSDS it is insoluble in cold water. So, it is possible that it is slightly soluble in hot water. This may also release HCN, by the way.

[Edited on 5-23-2008 by MagicJigPipe]

Klute - 23-5-2008 at 03:15

CuCN is often used in DMF. I don't know if it is entirely soluble in ti, at least partially solvated I suppose. I guess the same thing would stand for DMSO.

millerxia - 23-5-2008 at 14:49

many thanks for all of your help, i will have a try in the lab

Ragnarok - 24-5-2008 at 11:51

Maybe acetonitrile or benzonitrile?

Formatik - 24-5-2008 at 21:34

Look here.