COPPER SULFATE

Copper sulfate, also known as copper sulphate, is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula CuSO4. 
Copper sulfate forms hydrates CuSO4·nH2O, where n can range from 1 to 7. 
The pentahydrate (n = 5), a bright blue crystal, is the most commonly encountered hydrate of copper sulfate. 

CAS:    7758-98-7
MF:    CuO4S
MW:    159.61
EINECS:    231-847-6

Older names for the pentahydrate include blue vitriol, bluestone, vitriol of copper, and Roman vitriol.
Copper sulfate exothermically dissolves in water to give the aquo complex [Cu(H2O)6]2+, which has octahedral molecular geometry. 
The structure of the solid pentahydrate reveals a polymeric structure wherein copper is again octahedral but bound to four water ligands. 
The Cu(II)(H2O)4 centers are interconnected by sulfate anions to form chains.
Anhydrous copper sulfate is a light grey powder.

A compound prepared as the hydrate by the action of dilute sulfuric acid on copper( II) oxide or copper(II) carbonate. 
On crystallization, blue triclinic crystals of the pentahydrate (blue vitriol, CuSO4.5H2O) are formed. 
Industrially copper sulfate is prepared by passing air through a hot mixture of dilute sulfuric acid and scrap copper. 

The solution formed is recycled until the concentration of the copper sulfate is sufficient. Copper sulfate is readily soluble in water. 
The monohydrate (CuSO4.H2O) is formed at 100°C and the anhydrous salt at 250°C. 
Anhydrous copper sulfate is white; it is extremely hygroscopic and turns blue on absorption of water. 

Copper sulfate decomposes on heating to give copper(II) oxide and sulfur(VI) oxide.
Copper sulfate is used as a wood preservative, a fungicide (in Bordeaux mixture), and in the dyeing and electroplating industries.
A metal sulfate compound having copper(2+) as the metal ion.
A white or off-white solid. 
Melting point 200°C with decomposition. 
Non-combustible.

Copper sulfate is used as intermediate and wood preservative; also used in production of copper compounds; to detect and to remove trace amounts of water from alcohols and organic compounds; as a fungicide and algicide; in veterinary medicine and others.

During handling and use of copper sulfate, students and occupational workers should wear safety glasses and should not breathe the material in powder form. 
Copper sulfate is an environmental pollutant and must be carefully incorporated when used in its varied applications. 
Workers should wear protective clothing, goggles, impermeable gloves, and rubber boots to avoid skin contact.

Copper sulfate is an inorganic compound that combines sulfur with copper.
Copper sulfate can kill bacteria, algae, roots, plants, snails, and fungi. 
The toxicity of copper sulfate depends on the copper content. 
Copper sulfate is an essential mineral. 
Copper sulfate can be found in the environment, foods, and water. 
Copper sulfate has been registered for use in pesticide products in the United States since 1956.

Copper sulfate Chemical Properties
Melting point: 200 °C (dec.)(lit.)
Density: 3.603 g/mL at 25 °C(lit.)
Vapor pressure: 7.3 mm Hg ( 25 °C)
Storage temp.: Store at +5°C to +30°C.
Solubility: H2O: soluble
Form: powder
Color: Slightly greenish to gray
Specific Gravity: 3.603
PH Range: 3.7 - 4.5
PH: 3.5-4.5 (50g/l, H2O, 20℃)
Water Solubility: 203 g/L (20 ºC)
Sensitive: Hygroscopic
Merck: 14,2653
Exposure limits    ACGIH: TWA 1 mg/m3
NIOSH: IDLH 100 mg/m3; TWA 1 mg/m3
Stability: hygroscopic
InChIKey: ARUVKPQLZAKDPS-UHFFFAOYSA-L
CAS DataBase Reference: 7758-98-7(CAS DataBase Reference)
NIST Chemistry Reference: Copper sulfate(7758-98-7)
EPA Substance Registry System: Copper sulfate (7758-98-7)

Copper sulfate, a bluish crystalline powder, also known as hydrocyanite and copper sulfate, vitriol, chalcanthite, and bluestone, is an azure blue material used in the it is used in the leather industry. 
Copper sulfate is prepared by the reaction of sulfuric acid and copper. 
Copper sulfate is also obtained as a by-product from copper refineries.
Copper sulfate (anhydrous form) is green or gray-white powder, whereas pentahydrate, the most commonly encountered salt, is bright blue. 
The anhydrous form occurs as a rare mineral known as chalcocyanite. 
Hydrated copper sulfate occurs in nature as chalcanthite. 

Copper sulfate is made by the action of sulfuric acid with a variety of copper compounds. Copper sulfate is used in hair dyes, coloring glass, processing of leather, textiles, and in pyrotechnics as a green colorant. 
Copper sulfate is used as a fungicide and a mixture with lime is called Bordeux mixture and is used to control fungus on grapes, melons, and other berries, as a molluscicide for the destruction of slugs and snails, particularly the snail host of the liver fluke. 
Copper sulfate is used in Fehling and Benedict’s solution to test reducing sugars.
Copper sulfate is a greenish-white crystalline solid; the pentahydrate is Blue powder or granules, or ultramarine crystalline solid.

Copper sulfate pentahydrate decomposes before melting. 
Copper sulfate loses two water molecules upon heating at 63 °C (145 °F), followed by two more at 109 °C (228 °F) and the final water molecule at 200 °C (392 °F).

The chemistry of aqueous copper sulfate is simply that of copper aquo complex, since the sulfate is not bound to copper in such solutions. 
Thus, such solutions react with concentrated hydrochloric acid to give tetrachlorocuprate(II):

Cu2+ + 4 Cl− → [CuCl4]2−
Similarly treatment of such solutions with zinc gives metallic copper, as described by this simplified equation:

CuSO4 + Zn → Cu + ZnSO4
A further illustration of such "single metal replacement reactions" occurs when a piece of iron is submerged in a solution of copper sulfate:

Fe + CuSO4 → FeSO4 + Cu
In high school and general chemistry education, copper sulfate is used as an electrolyte for galvanic cells, usually as a cathode solution. 
For example, in a zinc/copper cell, copper ion in copper sulfate solution absorbs electron from zinc and forms metallic copper.

Cu2+ + 2e− → Cu (cathode), E°cell = 0.34 V
Copper sulfate is commonly included in teenager chemistry sets and undergraduate experiments.
Copper sulfate is often used to grow crystals in schools and in copper plating experiments, despite its toxicity. 
Copper sulfate is often used to demonstrate an exothermic reaction, in which steel wool or magnesium ribbon is placed in an aqueous solution of CuSO4. 
Copper sulfate is used to demonstrate the principle of mineral hydration. 

The pentahydrate form, which is blue, is heated, turning the copper sulfate into the anhydrous form which is white, while the water that was present in the pentahydrate form evaporates. 
When water is then added to the anhydrous compound, Copper sulfate turns back into the pentahydrate form, regaining its blue color.
Copper sulfate pentahydrate can easily be produced by crystallization from solution as copper sulfate, which is hygroscopic.

Uses    
Copper sulfate used as an antimicrobial and molluscicide.
Copper sulfate is also known as blue vitriol, this substance was made by the action of sulfuric acid on elemental copper. 
The bright-blue crystals are soluble in water and alcohol. 
Mixed with ammonia, copper sulfate was used in liquid filters. 
The most common application for copper sulfate was combining Copper sulfate with potassium bromide for making copper bromide bleach for intensification and toning. 

Some photographers used copper sulfate as a restrainer in ferrous sulfate developers that were used in the collodion process.
Copper Sulfate is a nutrient supplement and processing aid most often used in the pentahydrate form. 
This form occurs as large, deep blue or ultramarine, triclinic crystals, as blue granules, or as a light blue powder. 
The ingredient is prepared by the reaction of sulfuric acid with cupric oxide or with copper metal. 

May be used in infant formula.
Copper sulfate is also termed cupric sulfate.
Copper sulfate may be employed for the following studies:
As a catalyst for the acetylation of alcohols and phenols under solvent-free conditions.
To compose the electrolyte for the electrodeposition of Cu-Zn-Sn precursors, required for the preparation of Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) thin films.
As a Lewis acid catalyst for the dehydration of alcohols.

As a fungicide and herbicide
Copper sulfate has been used for control of algae in lakes and related fresh waters subject to eutrophication. 
Copper sulfate "remains the most effective algicidal treatment".

Bordeaux mixture, a suspension of copper sulfate (CuSO4) and calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2), is used to control fungus on grapes, melons, and other berries. 
Copper sulfate is produced by mixing a water solution of copper sulfate and a suspension of slaked lime.

A dilute solution of copper sulfate is used to treat aquarium fishes for parasitic infections, and is also used to remove snails from aquariums and zebra mussels from water pipes.
Copper ions are highly toxic to fish, however. 
Most species of algae can be controlled with very low concentrations of copper sulfate.

Analytical reagent
Several chemical tests utilize copper sulfate. 
Copper sulfate is used in Fehling's solution and Benedict's solution to test for reducing sugars, which reduce the soluble blue copper(II) sulfate to insoluble red copper(I) oxide. 
Copper sulfate is also used in the Biuret reagent to test for proteins.
Copper sulfate is used to test blood for anemia.

The blood is dropped into a solution of copper sulfate of known specific gravity—blood with sufficient hemoglobin sinks rapidly due to Copper sulfate's density, whereas blood which sinks slowly or not at all has an insufficient amount of hemoglobin.
Clincally relevant, however, modern laboratories utilize automated blood analyzers for accurate quantitative hemoglobin determinations, as opposed to older qualitative means.
In a flame test, the copper ions of copper sulfate emit a deep green light, a much deeper green than the flame test for barium.

Organic synthesis
Copper sulfate is employed at a limited level in organic synthesis.
The anhydrous salt is used as a dehydrating agent for forming and manipulating acetal groups.
The hydrated salt can be intimately mingled with potassium permanganate to give an oxidant for the conversion of primary alcohols.

Rayon production
Reaction with ammonium hydroxide yields tetraamminecopper(II) sulfate or Schweizer's reagent which was used to dissolve cellulose in the industrial production of Rayon.

Niche uses
Copper sulfate has attracted many niche applications over the centuries. 
In industry copper sulfate has multiple applications. 
In printing Copper sulfate is an additive to book-binding pastes and glues to protect paper from insect bites; in building it is used as an additive to concrete to improve water resistance and discourage anything from growing on Copper sulfate. 
Copper sulfate can be used as a coloring ingredient in artworks, especially glasses and potteries.
Copper sulfate is also used in firework manufacture as a blue coloring agent, but Copper sulfate is not safe to mix copper sulfate with chlorates when mixing firework powders.
Copper sulfate was once used to kill bromeliads, which serve as mosquito breeding sites. 
Copper sulfate is used as a molluscicide to treat bilharzia in tropical countries.

Agricultural Uses    
Fungicide, Algaecide, Bactericide, Herbicide, Molluscicide: Copper sulfate is a fungicide used to control bacterial and fungal diseases of fruit, vegetable, nut, and field crops. 
These diseases include mildew, leaf spots, blights, and apple scab. 
Copper sulfate is used as a protective fungicide (Bordeaux mixture) for leaf application and seed treatment. 

Copper sulfate is also used as an algaecide and herbicide, and to kill slugs and snails in irrigation and municipal water treatment systems. 
Copper sulfate has been used to control Dutch elm disease. 
Copper sulfate is available as a dust, wettable powder, or liquid concentrate. 
Used as a fungicide and algaecide, in veterinary medicine and others. 
Copper sulfate is also used todetect and to remove trace amounts of water from alcohols and organic compounds.

Industrial uses    
Copper sulfate (CuSO4·5H2O) is widely used as an activator for sphalerite, pyrite, pyrrhotite and other sulfides during processing of base metal ores. 
During flotation of some silicate minerals, copper sulfate is used as depressant, e.g. zirconium.
In manufacturing copper sulfate, sulfuric acid and scrap copper metal are used. 

The process is based on the oxidation of metal and dissolution with H2SO4 according to the following reaction:
4Cu + O2 = 2Cu2O Cu2O + H2SO4 = CuSO4 + H2O 2Cu2SO4 + 2H2SO4 + O2 = 4CuSO4 + 2H2O Usually, in mineral processing applications, copper sulfate is delivered in crystal form.

Benefits of Copper Sulfate
The largest health benefit of copper sulfate is that it is used to control bacteria and fungus growth on fruits, vegetables, and other crops, as Copper sulfate’s been registered for pesticide use in the United States since 1956. 
This includes mildew, which can cause leaf spots and plant spoilage, as copper sulfate binds to the proteins in fungus, damaging the cells and causing them to die.

Copper sulfate is also used in order to help with public health and safety. 
Copper sulfate destroys algae and bacteria in swimming pools. 
In addition, Copper sulfate's used to prevent athlete’s foot, a fungal infection that grows in between the toes in warm environments such as an indoor swimming pool. 
This is done by mixing Copper sulfate into the flooring mixtures of showers, locker rooms, and swimming pools to prevent the bacteria from being able to live on the flooring indefinitely.

Reactivity Profile    
Anhydrous Cupric sulfate serves as a weak oxidizing agent. 
Causes hydroxylamine to ignite. 
Gains water readily. 
The hydrated salt is vigorously reduced by hydroxylamine. 
Both forms are incompatible with finely powdered metals. 
Both are incompatible with magnesium, corrode steel and iron, may react with alkalis, phosphates, acetylene gas, hydrazine, or nitromethane, and may react with beta-naphthol, propylene glycol, sulphathiazole and triethanolamine if the pH exceeds 7. 
Both act as acidic salts, corrode metals and irritate tissues.

Health Hazard    
Workers who accidentally ingest copper sulfate experience abdominal pain and cramps, burning sensation, corrosive effects, nausea, vomiting, loose bowel movement, and a metallic taste. Exposures to copper sulfate by ingestion or skin absorption cause severe irritating effects to the eyes and skin The aerosol is irritating to the respiratory tract, and effects on the blood, kidneys and liver result in hemolytic anemia, kidney impairment, liver impairment, and shock or collapse. 
At large doses, accidental intake of copper sulfate causes renal failure, comatose, and even death. 
Long-term exposure to copper sulfate may lead to liver damage, lung diseases, and decreased female fertility.

INGESTION: Copper sulfate may induce severe gastroenteric distress (vomiting, gastroenteric pain, and local corrosion and hemorrhages), prostration, anuria, hematuria, anemia, increase in white blood cells, icterus, coma, respiratory difficulties, and circulatory failure.

Preparation and occurrence
Copper sulfate is produced industrially by treating copper metal with hot concentrated sulfuric acid or copper oxides with dilute sulfuric acid. 
For laboratory use, copper sulfate is usually purchased. 
Copper sulfate can also be produced by slowly leaching low-grade copper ore in air; bacteria may be used to hasten the process.

Commercial copper sulfate is usually about 98% pure copper sulfate, and may contain traces of water. 
Anhydrous copper sulfate is 39.81 percent copper and 60.19 percent sulfate by mass, and in its blue, hydrous form, Copper sulfate is 25.47% copper, 38.47% sulfate (12.82% sulfur) and 36.06% water by mass. 
Four types of crystal size are provided based on its usage: large crystals (10–40 mm), small crystals (2–10 mm), snow crystals (less than 2 mm), and windswept powder (less than 0.15 mm).

Synonyms
Copper sulfate
7758-98-7
Copper(II) sulfate
CUPRIC SULFATE
Copper sulphate
Cupric sulfate anhydrous
Copper(2+) sulfate
Copper(ii) sulfate, anhydrous
Copper monosulfate
Cupricsulfate
Blue stone
Copper(2+) sulphate
Copper II sulfate
Copper sulfate (1:1)
Sulfuric acid copper(2+) salt (1:1)
copper;sulfate
CuSO4
copper(II) sulphate
COPPERSULFATE
Copper(2+) sulfate (1:1)
10124-44-4
Copper sulfate, anhydrous
Copper monosulphate
18939-61-2
Sulfuric acid, copper(2+) salt
Cupric sulphate anhydrous
Cupric sulfate, anhydrous
Cupric sulphate, anhydrous
KUW2Q3U1VV
1332-14-5
Hylinec
Trinagle
Delcup
SULFURIC ACID, COPPERSALT (8CI,9CI)
Monocopper sulfate
Incracide 10A
BCS copper fungicide
Blue copper (VAN)
Copper Sulfate Powder
Kupfersulfat [German]
Snow Crystal Copper Sulfate
Sulfate de cuivre [French]
Aqua Maid Permanent Algaecide
CCRIS 3665
HSDB 916
Granular Crystals Copper Sulfate
Copper (II) sulphate
MAC 570
Bluestone copper sulfate
Tobacco States Brand Copper Sulfate
EINECS 231-847-6
Phelps Triangle Brand Copper Sulfate
UNII-KUW2Q3U1VV
MFCD00010981
NSC 57630
Sulfuric acid, copper salt
Copper (II) Sulfate Anhydrous
Sa-50 Brand Copper Sulfate Granular Crystals
Aquatronics Snail-A-Cide Dri-Pac Snail Powder
copper(II)sulphate
copper(II)-sulfate
EINECS 242-692-9
Copper (as sulfate)
Copper Sulfate Chelate
CuSO4 copper sulphate
Copper (11) sulfate
Copper( cento) sulfate
Sulfuric acid, copper(2+) salt (1:?)
Cupric sulfate,anhydrous
Bluestone, Cupric Sulfate
Copper(ii) tetraoxosulfate
CUPRIC SULFATE [MI]
COPPER SULFATE [INCI]
CUPRIC SULFATE [HSDB]
Sulfuric acid copper(2+)salt
COPPER SULFATE [WHO-DD]
DTXSID6034479
CHEBI:23414
COPPER SULPHATE (1:1)
CUPRIC SULFATE ANHYDROUS [II]
AKOS015902901
COPPER(2+) SULPHATE (1:1)
DB06778
CUPRIC SULFATE,ANHYDROUS [VANDF]
BP-20356
FisherTab™ CT-37 Kjeldahl Tablets
FisherTab™ CT-50 Kjeldahl Tablets
FisherTab™ TT-35 Kjeldahl Tablets
FisherTab™ TT-43 Kjeldahl Tablets
FisherTab™ TT-50 Kjeldahl Tablets
FisherTab™ TT-57 Kjeldahl Tablets
FisherTab™ CT-AUTO Kjeldahl Tablets
FT-0624048
C18713
COPPER SULFATE, ANHYDROUS [EP IMPURITY]
CUPRIC SULFATE ANHYDROUS [USP MONOGRAPH]
cupric sulphate, copper sulphate, cupric sulfate
A923422
Q107184
SR-01000944582
SR-01000944582-1