Abstract:
Copper antimonite, CuSb2O4, is a candidate oxidant for use in time delays for
mining detonators. A facile process for the synthesis of copper antimonite
comprises the reaction of antimony trioxide with copper-ammonia complex with
excess ammonia at reflux conditions (ca. 65 C) for about 1 h. Thereafter
the reaction is driven to completion by driving off the ammonia by distillation.
A well-crystallized product with a cuboid crystal habit approximately 4 mm in
size is obtained.
