Rapid solid state metathesis reactions for the synthesis of copper oxide and other metal oxides

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0025-5408(93)90035-C

Solid state metathesis (exchange) reactions are investigated as a synthetic route to simple metal oxides. These self-propagating exothermic reactions occur between metal halides and alkali metal oxides, and can be easily initiated with a hot filament. CuF₂ and Na₂O₃ for instance, react in seconds to produce copper (II) oxide and sodium fluoride. Highly crystalline, high purity CuO can be isolated by simply washing away the salt byproduct with an appropriate solvent. Other halides (CuCl₂ CuCl, and KI₃ CuF₆) or oxides (KO₂ and Na₂O) react to form CuO or a mixture of CuO and Cu₂O. Several metal halide-sodium peroxide combinations are found to be effective for the synthesis of simple oxides including Cr₂O₃ Fe₂O₃ and ZnO.