cuprous oxide

chemical compound

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Last updated

June 17, 2026

Quick Summary

Cuprous oxide, also known as copper(I) oxide or red copper oxide, is a chemical compound that is an oxide of copper. It occurs naturally as the mineral cuprite and can be obtained as red or yellow crystals or powder.1

Cuprous oxide has several uses:
* As a pigment in ceramics and antifouling paints.1
* As a seed disinfectant and fungicide.1

Another copper oxide is cupric oxide (copper(II) oxide), which is typically black and used as a catalyst and pigment.1

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copper processing
Oxides
…accordance with its two valences: cuprous oxide, Cu₂O, and cupric oxide, CuO. Cuprous oxide, a red crystalline material, can be produced by electrolytic or furnace methods. It is reduced readily by hydrogen, carbon monoxide, charcoal, or iron to metallic copper. It imparts a red colour to glass and is used…
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…accordance with its two valences: cuprous oxide, Cu₂O, and cupric oxide, CuO. Cuprous oxide, a red crystalline material, can be produced by electrolytic or furnace methods. It is reduced readily by hydrogen, carbon monoxide, charcoal, or iron to metallic copper. It imparts a red colour to glass and is used…
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copper
Principal compounds
…industrial compounds of copper(I) are cuprous oxide (Cu₂O), cuprous chloride (Cu₂Cl₂), and cuprous sulfide (Cu₂S). Cuprous oxide is a red or reddish brown crystal or powder that occurs in nature as the mineral cuprite. It is produced on a large scale by reduction of mixed copper oxide ores with copper…
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…industrial compounds of copper(I) are cuprous oxide (Cu₂O), cuprous chloride (Cu₂Cl₂), and cuprous sulfide (Cu₂S). Cuprous oxide is a red or reddish brown crystal or powder that occurs in nature as the mineral cuprite. It is produced on a large scale by reduction of mixed copper oxide ores with copper…
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