Copper(I) acetate (cuprous acetate) is an organic copper salt of acetic acid with chemical formula . It is an air-sensitive white solid.
Synthesis Copper(I) acetate is produced by the reduction of anhydrous copper(II) acetate with copper metal in acetonitrile or pyridine. The reaction is performed under vacuum to prevent oxidation of the product.
It can also be prepared by treating copper(I) oxide with an acetic acid–acetic anhydride solution.
Uses Copper(I) acetate is used as a catalyst for the oxidation of phenols to the corresponding poly-(phenylene) ethers and diphenoquinones in the presence of tertiary amines.
It also catalyzes azide-alkyne cycloaddition reactions.
Reactions Copper(I) acetate reacts with primary, secondary, tertiary, allylic and vinylic halides and tosylates yielding the corresponding acetate esters. The reaction is performed in refluxing pyridine, under an inert atmosphere and anhydrous conditions.
It forms complexes with many unidentate and bidentate sigma donor ligands.
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