CuSO48H2O

CuSO48H2O, more commonly known as copper(II) sulfate octahydrate, is a chemical compound with the formula CuSO4·8H2O. It is a hydrated salt of copper(II) sulfate. In this form, the copper(II) sulfate molecule is associated with eight molecules of water. This compound is a blue crystalline solid. It is one of several known hydrates of copper(II) sulfate, with the pentahydrate (CuSO4·5H2O) being the most common and widely recognized.

The octahydrate is less stable than the pentahydrate and can readily lose water molecules upon heating. Its solubility in water is influenced by temperature. Like other copper(II) salts, CuSO4·8H2O exhibits characteristic blue coloration due to the presence of the hydrated copper(II) ion, [Cu(H2O)6]2+, though the exact coordination environment in the octahydrate is more complex and involves bridging water molecules.

Historically, copper sulfate hydrates have found applications in various fields, including agriculture as a fungicide and algaecide, and in industry for electroplating and as a pigment. While the pentahydrate is more prevalent in commercial use, the octahydrate represents a specific crystalline form under certain hydration conditions. Its precise synthesis and stability are dependent on environmental factors such as humidity and temperature. Research into the solid-state chemistry of copper sulfate hydrates continues to explore their structural variations and properties.