Cuprous chloride

Dry Powder; Liquid

White solid; Turns green on exposure to moist air, and blue to brown on exposure to light; [Merck Index] Insoluble in water (0.1 g/L); [Ullmann] Grey-tan to light green odorless powder; [Reference #2]

Warning

H302: Harmful if swallowed [Warning Acute toxicity, oral]

P264, P270, P273, P301+P317, P330, P391, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement)

Warning

H317: May cause an allergic skin reaction [Warning Sensitization, Skin]

P260, P261, P272, P273, P280, P302+P352, P319, P321, P333+P317, P362+P364, P391, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement)

Chemical: Copper chloride (CuCl)

Copper chloride (CuCl) is listed on the EPA's Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) system. Manufacturers and importers of Copper chloride (CuCl) are required to report information about their production and use of this chemical to the EPA under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). (40 eCFR Part 711)

Copper (I) chloride: Does not have an individual approval but may be used under an appropriate group standard

Harmful if swallowed; [MSDSonline] Acute copper poisoning after ingestion can cause liver injury, methemoglobinemia, and hemolytic anemia. Acute renal failure may result, secondary to massive hemoglobinuria. [Goldfrank, p. 1259] Classified as category I for skin and eye irritation (corrosive); Category II for acute oral and dermal exposure (moderate toxicity); Category III for acute inhalation exposure (low toxicity); Positive results in dermal sensitization studies; [Reference #2] May cause irritation; Harmful by ingestion; [Alfa Aesar MSDS] See Copper.

Cuprous chloride

Severe marine pollutant

Acute toxicity (Oral) - Category 3

Skin sensitization - Category 1

Acute Tox. 4 *

0.093 [mg/m3]

4.6 [mg/m3]

28 [mg/m3]

EYES: irrigate opened eyes for several minutes under running water. INGESTION: do not induce vomiting. Rinse mouth with water (never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person). Seek immediate medical advice. SKIN: should be treated immediately by rinsing the affected parts in cold running water for at least 15 minutes, followed by thorough washing with soap and water. If necessary, the person should shower and change contaminated clothing and shoes, and then must seek medical attention. INHALATION: supply fresh air. If required provide artificial respiration.

People must absorb small amounts of copper every day because copper is essential for good health, however, high levels of copper can be harmful. Very-high doses of copper can cause damage to your liver and kidneys, and can even cause death. Copper may induce allergic responses in sensitive individuals. (L278, L279)

Excess copper is sequestered within hepatocyte lysosomes, where it is complexed with metallothionein. Copper hepatotoxicity is believed to occur when the lysosomes become saturated and copper accumulates in the nucleus, causing nuclear damage. This damage is possibly a result of oxidative damage, including lipid peroxidation. Copper inhibits the sulfhydryl group enzymes such as glucose-6-phosphate 1-dehydrogenase, glutathione reductase, and paraoxonases, which protect the cell from free oxygen radicals. It also influences gene expression and is a co-factor for oxidative enzymes such as cytochrome C oxidase and lysyl oxidase. In addition, the oxidative stress induced by copper is thought to activate acid sphingomyelinase, which lead to the production of ceramide, an apoptotic signal, as well as cause hemolytic anemia. Copper-induced emesis results from stimulation of the vagus nerve. (L277, T49, A174, L280)

LC50 (mice) = 1,008 mg/m3

LD50: 140 mg/kg (Oral, Rat) (L335) LD50: 100 mg/kg (Subcutaneous, Guinea pig) (L335) LC50: 1008 mg/kg (Inhalation, Mouse) (L335)

Copper is mainly absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract, but it can also be inhalated and absorbed dermally. It passes through the basolateral membrane, possibly via regulatory copper transporters, and is transported to the liver and kidney bound to serum albumin. The liver is the critical organ for copper homoeostasis. In the liver and other tissues, copper is stored bound to metallothionein, amino acids, and in association with copper-dependent enzymes, then partitioned for excretion through the bile or incorporation into intra- and extracellular proteins. The transport of copper to the peripheral tissues is accomplished through the plasma attached to serum albumin, ceruloplasmin or low-molecular-weight complexes. Copper may induce the production of metallothionein and ceruloplasmin. The membrane-bound copper transporting adenosine triphosphatase (Cu-ATPase) transports copper ions into and out of cells. Physiologically normal levels of copper in the body are held constant by alterations in the rate and amount of copper absorption, compartmental distribution, and excretion. (L277, L279)

Used to produce other copper compounds and in the production of silicone polymers, ethylene-propene rubbers, dialkyl carbonates, and acrylonitrile; Also used to purify carbon monoxide and to produce phthalocyanine pigments; Occurs in nature as nantokite; [Ullmann] Used as a catalyst for organic reactions, decolorizer, catalyst, and desulfuring agent in the petroleum industry, in denitration of cellulose, as condensing agent for soaps, fats, and oils, and in gas analysis to absorb carbon monoxide; [Merck Index] Used in Korea as a raw material for coloring agents and as a catalyst for CO and H2 production; [Reference #1] Used to control plant root growth in nursery pots (incorporated into the plastic); [Reference #2]

Petroleum Production and Refining [Category: Industry]

Copper(I) chloride is as a precursor to the fungicide copper oxychloride. It is also used in organic and polymer chemistry. (L292)

Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing

Copper chloride (CuCl): ACTIVE