Anhydrous Copper Chloride: Copper Heated in Excess Chlorine

Anhydrous cupric chloride, CuCl2, straight from the elements: Thorpe's Dictionary (1912) has copper heated in excess chlorine, giving a fused, liver-coloured, anhydrous mass. It takes up water from the air readily, so it must be kept closed. Chlorine is a poison gas: closed apparatus, fume hood. The picture: our diagram.