Substance profile
Copper oxide (CuO)
Copper oxide (CuO) is black to brownish-black amorphous or crystalline powder or granules.
01 · Identification
What Copper oxide (CuO) is
Copper oxide (CuO) is black to brownish-black amorphous or crystalline powder or granules. Its molecular formula is CuO and its molecular weight is 79.55 g/mol. It boils at 1026 °C, melts at 1326 °C, is soluble in water.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Warning.
Other names for Copper oxide (CuO)
- copper(II) oxide
02 · GHS classification
Hazards and label elements
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Copper oxide (CuO) properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 1026 °C (1878.8 °F) | decomp | HSDB |
| Decomposes | decomposes | NIOSH | |
| Decomposes at 1026 | decomposes | DrugBank | |
| Melting point | 1326 °C (2418.8 °F) | HSDB | |
| 1227 °C (2240.6 °F) | DOE PAC | ||
| 1026 °C (1879 °F) | decomposes | NIOSH | |
| Density | 6.4 g/cm³ | CuO | NIOSH |
| 6.4 g/cm³ | at 25 °C | DOE PAC | |
| 6.315 g/cm³ | at 14 °C | HSDB | |
| Solubility | Practically insol in water, alc; sol in dilute acids, alkali cyanides, ammonium carbonate soln; slowly sol in ammonia | HSDB | |
| SOL IN AMMONIUM CHLORIDE, POTASSIUM CYANIDE | HSDB | ||
| Soluble in acids; difficultly soluble in water | HSDB | ||
| Vapor pressure | 0 mmHg | approx | NIOSH |
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | Explodes when heated with powdered aluminum; anilinium perchlorate; hydrogen; magnesium; and phthalic anhydride. | HSDB | |
| CuO: Noncombustible Solid | NIOSH |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Copper oxide (CuO)
Incompatible materials
BORON REACTS VIOLENTLY WITH CUPRIC OXIDE AFTER WARMING, MELTING GLASS TUBING.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Copper oxide (CuO) in the storage compatibility matrix →