The very explosive copper acetylides, e.g., Cu2C2 • H2O, can be obtained by reaction of copper(I) salts with acetylene in liquid ammonia or by
reaction of copper(II) salts with acetylene in basic solution in the presence of a reducing agent such as hydroxylamine. Copper acetylides can also
form from copper oxides and other copper salts. For this reason copper plumbing should be avoided in acetylene systems.
Silver, gold, and mercury acetylides, which can be prepared in a similar manner, are also explosive.
In sharp contrast to the highly explosive Cu2C2 • H2O, the catalyst used for the synthesis of butynediol, Cu2C2 • 2 H2O • 2 C2H2, is not as
sensitive to shock or ignition. |