The synthesis of some copper sulfides and copper sulfosalts in 500–700 gram quantities

Abstract

The anhydrous synthesis of some common copper sulfides and copper sulfosalts is described. For each synthesis, 500–700 grams of reagent-grade material was prepared. Direct sulfurization of the metal was used to make CuS (covellite), Cu 2S (chalcocite) and FeS (troilite). A sinter-reaction technique, employing the above simple sulfides, was used to prepare CuFeS 2 (chalcopyrite), CuFe 2S 3 and Cu 5FeS 4 (bornite). Sulfurization of Cu-As or Cu-Sb alloys was used to synthesize Cu 3AsS 4 (enargite) and Cu 12Sb 4S 13 (tetrahedrite), respectively.