Title: Cuprous Selenide
CAS Registry Number: 20405-64-5
Synonyms: Berzeline; selenkupfer
Molecular Formula: Cu2Se
Molecular Weight: 206.05
Percent Composition: Cu 61.68%, Se 38.32%
Literature References: Occurs in nature as the mineral
berzelianite which in addition to copper and selenium contains 4.73-8.50% silver, 0.35-0.54% iron, up to 0.38% thallium and traces of lead and magnesium. Prepd by reduction of an ammoniacal soln of a cupric salt and H2SeO3 with hydrazine: Benzing
et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 80, 2657 (1958); Kulifay,
J. Inorg. Nucl. Chem. 25, 75 (1963); alternate methods: Glemser, Sauer in
Handbook of Preparative Inorganic Chemistry vol. 2, G. Brauer, Ed. (Academic Press, New York, 2nd ed., 1965) p 1019.
Properties: Blue-black to black, tetragonal or cubic crystals with a metallic luster. mp 1113°. d421 6.84. Sol in HCl with evolution of H2Se, in H2SO4 with evolution of SO2, in KCN soln; oxidized by HNO3 to CuSeO3.
Melting point: mp 1113°
Density: d421 6.84
Use: In semiconductors.