Abstract:
Soluble copper(I)-amine complexes, particularly copper(I)-ammonia complexes and copper(I)-monoethanmolamine complexes, are useful injectable wood preservatives. Wood treated with the copper(I)-amine complexes contains less amines, and is less corrosive to metals, than woods treated with the prior art copper(II)-amine complexes. A method of preparing an aqueous wood preservative that includes soluble copper(I) complexes comprises reacting a solution comprising a copper(II)-amine complex with metallic copper to form a copper(I)-amine complex. One aspect of the invention comprises injecting a solution comprising a copper(I)-amine complex into wood and allowing the copper(I)-amine complex to precipitate within the wood.