KupferIIsulfatPentahydrat

Kupfer(II)sulfat, commonly known as copper(II) sulfate or blue vitriol, is an inorganic compound with the formula CuSO4. It exists in an anhydrous form (CuSO4) and as the hydrated pentahydrate CuSO4·5H2O, the latter forming vivid blue crystals and being the form most widely encountered. The pentahydrate readily dissolves in water, giving blue solutions, while the anhydrous salt is white or grayish and can be obtained by heating the pentahydrate to remove water of crystallization.

In nature, the mineral form chalcanthite is CuSO4·5H2O. It occurs in arid environments and dissolves easily in water; it can crystallize from copper-rich solutions exposed to air.

Production and preparation methods: Industrial copper sulfate is typically produced by reacting copper or copper-containing ores with sulfuric acid to form a copper sulfate solution, which is then concentrated and crystallized to yield the pentahydrate. It can also be prepared by reacting copper oxide with hot concentrated sulfuric acid.

Applications: Copper sulfate has numerous uses. It has long been employed as a fungicide and algaecide in agriculture (historically in Bordeaux mixtures) and in copper electroplating and metal finishing. It serves as a versatile copper(II) source in chemical laboratories and is used in qualitative and quantitative tests, such as Benedict’s and Fehling’s tests. It also finds use in etching processes and in various mineralogy and teaching experiments.

Safety: Copper sulfate is toxic if ingested and can irritate skin, eyes, and the respiratory tract. It should be handled with appropriate protective equipment and disposed of according to local regulations, with care to minimize environmental release due to its aquatic toxicity.