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Ferrous sulphate denotes a range of salts with the formula Fe SO4·xH2O.
Ferrous sulphate exist most commonly as the heptahydrate (x = 7) but several values for x are known.
The hydrated form is used medically to treat iron deficiency, and also for industrial applications.
CAS Number: 7720-78-7
EC Number: 231-753-5
IUPAC Name: iron(2+) sulfate
Chemical Formula: FeO4S
Other names: ferrous sulfate heptahydrate, Ferrous sulphate, iron (II) sulfate, iron (II) sulfate (1:1) heptahydrate, Iron (II) sulphate, Iron sulfate, Iron sulphate, Iron sulphate, iron sulphate, Iron(II)sulfate anhydrous, Sulfuric acid, iron(2+) salt (1:1), sulfuric acid, iron(II) salt (1:1), heptahydrate, acid sulfuric, sare de fier(II) (1:1), heptahidrat (ro), acide sulfurique, sel de fer (II) (1:1), heptahydrate (fr), Dzelzs sulfāts (lv), dzelzs(II) sulfāta (1:1) heptahidrāts (lv), dzelzs(II) sulfāta heptahidrāts (lv), dzelzs(II) sulfāts (lv), Eisen(II)-sulfat (de), Eisen(II)sulfat(1:1)heptahydrat (de), Eisensulfat (de), Eisensulfatheptahydrat (de), fero sulfat heptahidrat (hr), ferrosulfaat heptahydraat (nl), ferrosulfaattiheptahydraatti (fi), ferrosulfat heptahydrat (da), ferrosulfatheptahydrat (no), ferrous sulfate heptahydrate (mt), geležies (II) sulfatas (lt), geležies (II) sulfatas (1:1) heptahidratas (lt), Geležies sulfatas (lt), geležies sulfatas, heptahidratas (lt), heptahydrát síranu železnatého (sk), ijzer(II)sulfaat (nl), ijzer(II)sulfaat (1:1) heptahydraat (nl), IJzersulfaat (nl), iron (II) sulfate (1:1) heptahydrate (mt), Iron sulphate (no), jern(II)sulfat (da), jern(II)sulfat (no), jern(II)sulfat (1:1) heptahydrat (da), jern(II)sulfat (1:1) heptahydrat (no), Jernsulfat (da), järn(II)sulfat (sv), järn(II)sulfat, heptahydrat (sv), Järnsulfat (sv), järnsulfatheptahydrat (sv), kwas siarkowy(VI), sól żelaza(II) (1:1), heptahydrat (pl), kyselina sírová, železnatá soľ, heptahydrát (sk), kénsav, vas(II)-só, (1:1) heptahidrát (hu), raud(II)sulfaat (et), raud(II)sulfaat (1:1), heptahüdraat (et), raud(II)sulfaatheptahüdraat (et), Raudsulfaat (et), Rauta(II)sulfaatti (fi), Rauta(II)sulfaattiheptahydraatti (fi), Rautasulfaatti (fi), rikkihapon rauta(II)-suola, heptahydraatti (fi), sal de ferro (II) (1:1) de ácido sulfúrico, hepta-hidratado (pt), sale di ferro (II) di acido solforico, eptaidrato (it), Schwefelsäure, Eisen(II)salz (1:1), Heptahydrat (de), Siarczan żelaza (pl), siarczan żelaza (II) (pl), siarczan żelazawy heptahydrat (pl), sieros rūgštis, geležies(II) druska (1:1), heptahidratas (lt), Solfato di ferro (it), solfato di ferro (II) (it), solfato di ferro (II) eptaidrato (it), solfato ferroso eptaidrato (it), Sulfat de fier (ro), Biocidal active substances, sulfat de fier (II) (1:1) heptahidrat (ro), sulfat de fier(II) (ro), sulfat feros heptahidrat (ro), Sulfat tal-ħadid (mt), sulfat tal-ħadid (II) (mt), Sulfate de fer (fr), sulfate de fer (II) (fr), sulfate de fer (II), heptahydrate (1:1) acide sulfurique, sel de fer(II) (1:1), heptahydrate, sulfate ferreux, heptahydrate (fr), sulfate ferreux, heptahydrate (fr), sulfato de ferro (pt), sulfato de ferro (II) (pt), sulfato de ferro (II) (1:1) heptahidratado (pt), Sulfato de hierro (es), sulfato de hierro (II) (es), sulfato de hierro (II), heptahidrato (es), sulfato ferroso hepta-hidratado (pt), sulfato ferroso, heptahidrato (es), sulfuric acid, iron(II) salt (1:1), heptahydrate (mt), sumporna kiselina, željezova(II) sol (1:1), heptahidrat (hr), svavelsyra, järn(II)salt (1:1), heptahydrat (sv), svovelsyre, jern(II)salt (1:1), heptahydrat (no), svovlsyre, jern(II)-salt (1:1), heptahydrat (da), Síran železnatý (cs), síran železnatý (cs), Síran železnatý (sk), síran železnatý (sk), síran železnatý (1:1) heptahydrát (cs), síran železnatý heptahydrát (cs), sērskābes dzelzs(II) sāls (1:1), heptahidrāts (lv), vas(II)-szulfát (hu), vas(II)-szulfát (1:1) heptahidrát (hu), vas(II)-szulfát, heptahidrát (hu), Vas-szulfát (hu), väävelhappe raud(II)sool (1:1), heptahüdraat (et), zwavelzuur, ijzer(II)zout, (1:1) heptahydraat (nl), ácido sulfúrico, sal de hierro (II), heptahidrato (es), železnatá sůl kyseliny sírové (1:1), heptahydrát (cs), železov (II) sulfat (sl), železov (II) sulfat (1:1) heptahidrat, (sl), Železov sulfat (sl), železov sulfat heptahidrat (sl), železova(II) sol (1:1) žveplove kisline, heptahidrat (sl), Željezov sulfat (hr), željezov(II) sulfat (hr), željezov(II) sulfat (1:1) heptahidrat (hr), άλας θειικού οξέος με σίδηρο(ΙΙ) (1:1), επταένυδρο (el), Θειικός σίδηρος (el), θειικός σίδηρος (ΙΙ) (el), θειικός σίδηρος(ΙΙ) (1:1), επταένυδρος (el), θειικός υποσίδηρος, επταένυδρος (el), железен (II) сулфат (bg), железен (II) сулфат (1:1) хептахидрат (bg), Железен сулфат (bg), сярна киселина, сол на желязо (II) сол (1:1), хептахидрат (bg), феросулфат хептахидрат (bg), Sulfuric acid, iron(2+) salt (1:1), Eisen(II)sulfat heptahydrat, Ferrosulfate, Copperas, Ferrous sulfate, Ferrous sulfate, Ferrous sulfate (1:1), Ferrous sulfate heptahydrate, ferrous sulfate heptahydrate, Ferrous sulfate heptahydrate, ferrous sulphate, Ferrous Sulphate, Ferrous sulphate, Ferrous Sulphate Monohydrate, ferrous sulphate, ferrous sulfate, iron sulfate, ferric sulfate, iron(II)sulfate, GFU Iron(II)sulphate, iron (2+) sulfate, iron (2+) sulfate heptahydrate, iron (2+) sulphate, Iron (II) sulfate, iron (II) sulfate, iron (II) sulfate (1:1) heptahydrate, IRON (II) SULFATE HEPTAHYDRATE, iron (II) sulfate heptahydrate, Iron (II) sulfate heptahydrate, iron (II) sulphate, iron (II) sulphate monohydrate, Iron (II)sulfato hydrate, iron sulfate, Iron sulfate, iron sulfate heptahydrate, Iron Sulphate, Iron sulphate, iron sulphate, Iron Sulphate, Iron sulphate, iron sulphate, iron sulphate (technical grade), iron sulphate heptahydrate, iron sulphate hydrates SBE (by-product of the steel industry where the pickling process are used to clean the metal surface placed on the market), Iron sulphate, Ferrous sulfate, Iron(+2) cation sulfate, iron(2+) sulfate, iron(2+) sulfate, Iron(2+) sulfate heptahydrate, iron(2+) sulfate heptahydrate, iron(2+) sulfate monohydrate, iron(2+);sulfate;heptahydrate, Iron(II) sulfate, Iron(II) sulfate, Iron(II) sulfate heptahydrate, iron(II) sulfate heptahydrate, Iron(II) sulfate or Iron(2+) sulfate, iron(II) sulphate, iron(II)sulfate, iron(II)sulfate heptahydrate, Iron(III) sulfate, iron; sulfuric acid, iron;sulfuric acid, siarczan żalazawy, solfato di ferro (II) eptaidrato, Sulfuric acid, iron(2+) salt (1:1), sulfuric acid, iron(II) salt (1:1), heptahydrate, Síran železnatý bezvodý, mono(hepta)hydrát, Iron Sulphate unhydrous, monohydrous, heptahydrous, Vas(II)-szulfát-heptahidrát, Zelená skalice, [CZ] Skalice zelená, [EN] Green Vitriol, Caparrosa, Coagulant, Combiron, Consortium description: ferrous sulphate, ferrous sulfate, iron sulfate, ferric sulfate, iron(II)sulfate ESIS database: Iron (II) sulfate (1:1) heptahydrate; Sulfuric acid, iron(II) salt (1:1), heptahydrate; Ferrous sulfate heptahydrate, Copperas, Dechromator, Duretter, Duroferon
Ferrous sulphate known since ancient times as copperas and as green vitriol (vitriol is an archaic name for sulfate), the blue-green heptahydrate (hydrate with 7 molecules of water) is the most common form of this material.
All the iron(II) sulfates dissolve in water to give the same aquo complex [Fe(H2O)6]2+, which has octahedral molecular geometry and is paramagnetic.
The name copperas dates from times when the copper(II) sulfate was known as blue copperas, and perhaps in analogy, iron(II) and zinc sulfate were known respectively as green and white copperas.
Ferrous sulphate is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.
In 2020, Ferrous sulphate was the 116th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 5 million prescriptions.
Uses of Ferrous sulphate
Industrially, Ferrous sulphate is mainly used as a precursor to other iron compounds.
Ferrous sulphate is a reducing agent, and as such is useful for the reduction of chromate in cement to less toxic Cr(III) compounds.
Historically Ferrous sulphate was used in the textile industry for centuries as a dye fixative.
Ferrous sulphate is used historically to blacken leather and as a constituent of iron gall ink.
The preparation of sulfuric acid ('oil of vitriol') by the distillation of green vitriol (iron(II) sulfate) has been known for at least 700 years.
Plant growth
Ferrous sulphate is sold as ferrous sulfate, a soil amendment for lowering the pH of a high alkaline soil so that plants can access the soil's nutrients.
In horticulture Ferrous sulphate is used for treating iron chlorosis.
Although not as rapid-acting as ferric EDTA, its effects are longer-lasting.
Ferrous sulphate can be mixed with compost and dug into the soil to create a store which can last for years.
Ferrous sulfate can be used as a lawn conditioner.
Ferrous sulphate can also be used to eliminate silvery thread moss in golf course putting greens.
Pigment and craft
Ferrous sulphate can be used to stain concrete and some limestones and sandstones a yellowish rust color.
Woodworkers use Ferrous sulphate solutions to color maple wood a silvery hue.
Green vitriol is also a useful reagent in the identification of mushrooms.
Historical uses
Ferrous sulphate was used in the manufacture of inks, most notably iron gall ink, which was used from the middle ages until the end of the 18th century.
Chemical tests made on the Lachish letters (c. 588–586 BCE) showed the possible presence of iron.
Ferrous sulphate is thought that oak galls and copperas may have been used in making the ink on those letters.
Ferrous sulphate also finds use in wool dyeing as a mordant.
Harewood, a material used in marquetry and parquetry since the 17th century, is also made using ferrous sulfate.
Two different methods for the direct application of indigo dye were developed in England in the 18th century and remained in use well into the 19th century.
One of these, known as china blue, involved iron(II) sulfate.
After printing an insoluble form of indigo onto the fabric, the indigo was reduced to leuco-indigo in a sequence of baths of ferrous sulfate (with reoxidation to indigo in air between immersions).
The china blue process could make sharp designs, but it could not produce the dark hues of other methods.
In the second half of the 1850s ferrous sulfate was used as a photographic developer for collodion process images.
Production and reactions of Ferrous sulphate
In the finishing of steel prior to plating or coating, the steel sheet or rod is passed through pickling baths of sulfuric acid.
This treatment produces large quantities of iron(II) sulfate as a by-product.
Fe + H2SO4 → FeSO4 + H2
Another source of large amounts results from the production of titanium dioxide from ilmenite via the sulfate process.
Ferrous sulphate is also prepared commercially by oxidation of pyrite:
2 FeS2 + 7 O2 + 2 H2O → 2 FeSO4 + 2 H2SO4
Ferrous sulphate can be produced by displacement of metals less reactive than Iron from solutions of their sulfate:
CuSO4 + Fe → FeSO4 + Cu
Reactions of Ferrous sulphate
Upon dissolving in water, Ferrous sulphate form the metal aquo complex [Fe(H2O)6]2+, which is an almost colorless, paramagnetic ion.
On heating, iron(II) sulfate first loses its water of crystallization and the original green crystals are converted into a white anhydrous solid.
When further heated, the anhydrous material decomposes into sulfur dioxide and sulfur trioxide, leaving a reddish-brown iron(III) oxide.
Thermolysis of iron(II) sulfate begins at about 680 °C (1,256 °F).
2FeSO4→ΔFe2O3+SO2+SO3
Like other iron(II) salts, iron(II) sulfate is a reducing agent.
For example, Ferrous sulphate reduces nitric acid to nitrogen monoxide and chlorine to chloride:
6 FeSO4 + 3 H2SO4 + 2 HNO3 → 3 Fe2(SO4)3 + 4 H2O + 2 NO
6 FeSO4 + 3 Cl2 → 2 Fe2(SO4)3 + 2 FeCl3
Its mild reducing power is of value in organic synthesis.
Ferrous sulphate is used as the iron catalyst component of Fenton's reagent.
Ferrous sulphate can be detected by the cerimetric method, which is the official method of the Indian Pharmacopoeia.
Ferrous sulphate includes the use of ferroin solution showing a red to light green colour change during titration.
Ferrous sulphate appears as a greenish or yellow-brown crystalline solid.
Density 15.0 lb /gal.
Melts at 64 °C and loses the seven waters of hydration at 90 °C.
The primary hazard is the threat to the environment.
Immediate steps should be taken to limit its spread to the environment.
Used for water or sewage treatment, as a fertilizer ingredient.
Iron deficiency anemia is a large public health concern worldwide, especially in young children, infants, and women of childbearing age.
This type of anemia occurs when iron intake, iron stores, and iron loss do not adequately support the formation of erythrocytes, also known as red blood cells.
Ferrous sulphate is a synthetic agent used in the treatment of iron deficiency.
Ferrous sulphate is the gold standard of oral iron therapy in the UK and many other countries.
Iron(2+) sulfate (anhydrous) is a compound of iron and sulfate in which the ratio of iron(2+) to sulfate ions is 1:1.
Various hydrates occur naturally - most commonly the heptahydrate, which loses water to form the tetrahydrate at 57℃ and the monohydrate at 65℃.
Ferrous sulphate has a role as a reducing agent.
Ferrous sulphate is a metal sulfate and an iron molecular entity.
Ferrous sulphate contains an iron(2+).
Use and Manufacturing of Ferrous sulphate
Used as a mordant in textile dyeing; Used to make iron compounds and in engraving, lithography, water treatment, aluminum etching, and qualitative analysis (brown ring test for nitrates); Also used in iron electroplating baths, fertilizers and pesticides, food and feed supplements, radiation dosimeters, wood preservative, inks, leather dyes, polymerization catalysts, and pharmaceuticals (iron deficiency anemia); Used as iron oxide pigment, catalyst (especially for synthetic ammonia), and food supplement
Industry Uses of Ferrous sulphate
-Agricultural chemicals (non-pesticidal)
-Catalyst
-Chemical reaction regulator
-Cloud-point depressant
-Deodorizer
-Intermediates
-Laboratory chemicals
-Not Known or Reasonably Ascertainable
-Other (specify)
-Processing aids not otherwise specified
-Soil amendments (fertilizers)
-Solids separation (precipitating) agent, not otherwise specified
Consumer Uses of Ferrous sulphate
-Agricultural chemicals (non-pesticidal)
-Intermediates
-Other (specify)
-Soil amendments (fertilizers)
-Solids separation (precipitating) agent, not otherwise specified
Household Products
Household & Commercial/Institutional Products
Information on 29 consumer products that contain Ferrous sulfate in the following categories is provided:
-Landscaping/Yard
-Pesticides
General Manufacturing Information
Industry Processing Sectors
-Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting
-All Other Basic Inorganic Chemical Manufacturing
-All Other Chemical Product and Preparation Manufacturing
-Mining (except Oil and Gas) and support activities
-Miscellaneous Manufacturing
-Not Known or Reasonably Ascertainable
-Paper Manufacturing
-Pesticide, Fertilizer, and Other Agricultural Chemical Manufacturing
-Petroleum Refineries
-Synthetic Dye and Pigment Manufacturing
-Utilities
-Wood Product Manufacturing
Ferrous sulphate is a dry chemical substance with a green-blue color, odorless, crystalline structure.
According to the amount of water in iron sulfate; Ferrous sulphate is divided into types as unhydrate (anhydrous), monohydrate (1 - one aqueous), pentahydrate (5 - five aqueous), heptahydrate (7- seven aqueous).
Ferrous sulphate is formulated with the chemical formula FeSO4. Ferrous Sulphate contains 17-20% iron.
Ferrous sulphate is a type of iron.
You get iron from what you normally use.
In your soul, iron becomes part of hemoglobin and myoglobin.
Hemoglobin carries oxygen from your blood to tissues and organs.
Myoglobin helps your muscle cells store oxygen.
Usage areas of Ferrous sulphate
-Ferrous sulphate is used in a wide variety of industries, including the medical, manufacturing and horticultural sectors.
-Ferrous sulphate is also used as a granular fertilizer.
-The use of Ferrous sulphate as an algae killer helps acidify alkaline soils to provide ideal conditions for a number of dissolving plants.
-Ferrous sulphate is also used as an effective and cost-effective means of controlling moss and algae and as an ingredient in lawn sand and turf dressings.
-Sulfate acidifies soils and encourages good leafy grass growth. High alkaline soil hurts grass growth.
-Controls unwanted moss that spoils the appearance of your lawn.
-Reduces this chance of grass disease
-fertilize the soil
-Ferrous sulphate, along with other iron compounds, is used to fortify foods and to treat and prevent iron deficiency anemia.
-Ferrous sulphate was used in the manufacture of inks used from the middle ages until the end of the eighteenth century, most notably the iron glue ink.
Ferrous sulphate is a type of iron. You normally get iron from the foods you eat.
In your body, iron becomes a part of your hemoglobin and myoglobin.
Hemoglobin carries oxygen through your blood to tissues and organs.
Myoglobin helps your muscle cells store oxygen.
Ferrous sulphate is an essential body mineral.
Ferrous sulphate is used to treat iron deficiency anemia (a lack of red blood cells caused by having too little iron in the body).
The iron supplement Ferrous sulphate is an iron salt with the chemical formula FeSO4.
Iron salts are one type of the mineral iron.
People often use them as a supplement to treat iron deficiency.
Ferrous sulphate is also called iron sulfate, green vitriol, and iron vitriol.
Benefits of Ferrous sulphate
The primary benefit of taking Ferrous sulphate supplements is to maintain normal iron levels in the body.
Doing so may prevent you from experiencing iron deficiency, as well as the range of mild to severe side effects that often accompany it.
Here’s a closer look at the benefits of taking ferrous sulfate supplements.
Ferrous sulphate replenishes iron, an essential component in hemoglobin, myoglobin, and various enzymes.
Ferrous sulphate replaces the iron that is usually found in hemoglobin and myoglobin.
Iron participates in oxygen transport and storage, electron transport and energy metabolism, antioxidant and beneficial pro-oxidant functions, oxygen sensing, tissue proliferation and growth, as well as DNA replication and repair.
Ferrous sulphate is a type of iron.
You normally get iron from the foods you eat.
In the body, iron helps your blood carry oxygen to tissues and organs and helps your muscle cells store oxygen.
Ferrous sulphate is used to treat iron deficiency.
Ferrous sulphate may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Warning! According to the classification provided by companies to ECHA in REACH registrations this substance is harmful if swallowed, causes serious eye irritation, is harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects, causes skin irritation, may be corrosive to metals and may cause an allergic skin reaction.
At least one company has indicated that the substance classification is affected by impurities or additives.
Ferrous sulphate is registered under the REACH Regulation and is manufactured in and / or imported to the European Economic Area, at ≥ 1 000 000 to < 10 000 000 tonnes per annum.
Ferrous sulphate is used by consumers, in articles, by professional workers (widespread uses), in formulation or re-packing, at industrial sites and in manufacturing.
Ferrous sulphate is approved in the EEA and/or Switzerland for use in biocidal products more favourable for the environment, human or animal health.
Ferrous sulphate is used in the following products: fertilisers, fillers, putties, plasters, modelling clay, plant protection products, adhesives and sealants and metal surface treatment products.
Other release to the environment of Ferrous sulphate is likely to occur from: outdoor use, indoor use (e.g. machine wash liquids/detergents, automotive care products, paints and coating or adhesives, fragrances and air fresheners) and outdoor use in long-life materials with low release rate (e.g. metal, wooden and plastic construction and building materials).
Release to the environment of Ferrous sulphate can occur from industrial use: in the production of articles and formulation of mixtures.
Other release to the environment of Ferrous sulphate is likely to occur from: outdoor use, indoor use (e.g. machine wash liquids/detergents, automotive care products, paints and coating or adhesives, fragrances and air fresheners) and outdoor use in long-life materials with low release rate (e.g. metal, wooden and plastic construction and building materials).
Ferrous sulphate can be found in products with material based on: stone, plaster, cement, glass or ceramic (e.g. dishes, pots/pans, food storage containers, construction and isolation material), metal (e.g. cutlery, pots, toys, jewellery), wood (e.g. floors, furniture, toys), paper (e.g. tissues, feminine hygiene products, nappies, books, magazines, wallpaper) and plastic (e.g. food packaging and storage, toys, mobile phones).
Ferrous sulphate is used in the following products: fertilisers, pH regulators and water treatment products, laboratory chemicals, water treatment chemicals, metal surface treatment products, plant protection products and fillers, putties, plasters, modelling clay.
Ferrous sulphate has an industrial use resulting in manufacture of another substance (use of intermediates).
Ferrous sulphate is used in the following areas: agriculture, forestry and fishing, building & construction work, scientific research and development and formulation of mixtures and/or re-packaging.
Ferrous sulphate is used for the manufacture of: mineral products (e.g. plasters, cement).
Other release to the environment of Ferrous sulphate is likely to occur from: outdoor use and indoor use (e.g. machine wash liquids/detergents, automotive care products, paints and coating or adhesives, fragrances and air fresheners).
Ferrous sulphate is used in the following products: pH regulators and water treatment products, metal surface treatment products, water treatment chemicals, fertilisers, non-metal-surface treatment products and fillers, putties, plasters, modelling clay.
Release to the environment of Ferrous sulphate can occur from industrial use: formulation of mixtures, as processing aid, in the production of articles and in processing aids at industrial sites.
Ferrous sulphate is used in the following products: pH regulators and water treatment products, water treatment chemicals, laboratory chemicals, fillers, putties, plasters, modelling clay, fertilisers and metal surface treatment products.
Ferrous sulphate has an industrial use resulting in manufacture of another substance (use of intermediates).
Ferrous sulphate is used in the following areas: formulation of mixtures and/or re-packaging, building & construction work and scientific research and development.
Ferrous sulphate is used for the manufacture of: chemicals, metals, fabricated metal products, electrical, electronic and optical equipment and mineral products (e.g. plasters, cement).
Release to the environment of Ferrous sulphate can occur from industrial use: in the production of articles, in processing aids at industrial sites, as processing aid, as an intermediate step in further manufacturing of another substance (use of intermediates) and formulation of mixtures.
Release to the environment of Ferrous sulphate can occur from industrial use: manufacturing of the substance, in processing aids at industrial sites, in the production of articles, as an intermediate step in further manufacturing of another substance (use of intermediates) and as processing aid.
