Cuprite Cu₂O

Unit cell

Lattice constants

a = 4.270 Å, b = 4.270 Å, c = 4.270 Å; α = 90°, β = 90°, γ = 90°

Cell volume

77.9 ų

Atoms in the cell

6 (O 2, Cu 4)

Formula units Z

2

Calculated density

6.10 g cm⁻³

Shortest contact

1.849 Å

Coordination

O

CN 4 at 1.85 Å (4 Cu)

Cu

CN 2 at 1.85 Å (2 O)

About the structure

• bcc array of O²⁻; each O is tetrahedrally surrounded by Cu⁺ and each Cu⁺ is linear (O–Cu–O).
• Coordination: Cu 2, O 4.
• Two interpenetrating frameworks that do not bond to each other.
• Ag₂O shares this structure.

Atom positions (fractional, one cell)

Z, coordination numbers, distances, density and packing on this page are computed from these coordinates.