CuSO412H2O

CuSO4·5H2O, also known as copper(II) sulfate pentahydrate, is a chemical compound with the formula CuSO4·5H2O. It is a blue crystalline solid that is highly soluble in water. The compound consists of copper(II) ions (Cu2+), sulfate ions (SO42-), and five water molecules (H2O). It is commonly used in various applications, including as a fungicide, algaecide, and herbicide in agriculture, and as a wood preservative. In the laboratory, it is used as a source of copper ions and for the preparation of other copper compounds. CuSO4·5H2O can be prepared by dissolving copper metal or copper oxide in sulfuric acid, followed by crystallization from the resulting solution. It is non-toxic and non-flammable, but it can release sulfur dioxide gas when heated, which is toxic and corrosive. The compound is also used in the production of other copper compounds, such as copper(II) sulfate monohydrate (CuSO4·H2O), by controlled dehydration.