Zinksulfate

Zinksulfat is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula ZnSO4. It typically exists as a hydrated salt, most commonly as zinc sulfate heptahydrate, ZnSO4·7H2O, which appears as a white crystalline solid. It is also known by names such as white vitriol or zinc vitriol.

Zinc sulfate is soluble in water and slightly soluble in ethanol. In its anhydrous form, it is a white powder. When heated, zinc sulfate loses water of crystallization. At higher temperatures, it decomposes to form sulfur dioxide and zinc oxide.

Industrially, zinc sulfate is produced by treating zinc metal, zinc oxide, or zinc carbonate with sulfuric acid. It finds various applications, including in the production of rayon, as a mordant in dyeing, as a source of zinc in fertilizers and animal feeds, and in electroplating baths. It is also used in pharmaceuticals as an astringent and for treating zinc deficiency. In agriculture, it is applied to soils to correct zinc deficiency in crops. In medicine, it can be used as an emetic in cases of poisoning and as a component in eye drops.