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Copper sulfate is an inorganic compound that has a chemical formula equivalent to CuSO4. It can also be referred to as cuprous sulfate (Cu2SO4).
- Copper sulfate is also known as bluestone or Blue Vitriol.
- The hydrate formula of the compound is CuSO4·nH2O, where n can range from 1 to 7.
- It is an inorganic salt used for dyeing, so it works well as a dyeing agent.
- Similarly, it catalyses a few organic reactions.
- The most common form of compound is pentahydrate, which goes by the formula CuSO4.5H2O.
- Copper Sulfate primarily acts as a fungicide in the treatment of fruit and vegetable diseases.
- The compound is prepared by treating copper with concentrated sulfuric acid or copper oxides with dilute sulfuric acid.
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Key Terms: Copper Sulfate, Bluestone, Blue Vitriol, Sulfuric Acid, Copper Oxides, Molar Mass, Copper Sulfate Pentahydrate, Cation, Anion, Molecules, Cupric Oxide, Copper
What is Copper Sulfate?
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Copper sulfate is an inorganic compound that is referred to by the name cuprous sulfate (Cu2SO4) or cupric sulfate (CuSO4). The scientific name of the compound copper(II) sulfate.
- Copper Sulfate, when dissolved in water, will form a compound [Cu(H2O)6]2+.
- Due to the presence of water molecules, it tends to exhibit blue colour.
- The compound formed is known as the hexahydrated copper aqua complex.
- It exhibits the properties of mineral hydration.
- Copper sulfate is formed by an ionic bond between the copper cation (Cu2+) and the sulfate anion (SO42-).
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Copper Sulfate Formula and Structure
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CuSO4 is the chemical formula for Copper Sulphate. Its molar mass is also 159.60 g mol-1. Furthermore, this compound is commonly found as a hydrated salt containing 1 to 5 molecules of water.
- CuSO4.5 H2O is thus the most common hydrated form of it.
- Similarly, the molecular mass of copper sulphate pentahydrate is 249.69 g mol-1.
- Furthermore, the structure of the anhydrous salt consists of one cation Cu2+ and one anion SO42-.
Similarly, the pentahydrate salt has a copper cation centre and four water molecules surrounding it. The oxidation state of the compound is +2.
- It forms a polymeric structure, whereas copper forms an octahedral structure.
- They form a chain of sulfate anions.
- Copper sulfate can be prepared by the leaching process.
Copper Sulfate
Properties of Copper Sulfate
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Properties of CuS04 can be combined and divided into Chemical Properties and Physical Properties which are as follows:
Chemical Properties of Copper Sulfate
The chemical properties of copper sulfate are as follows:
Reaction with Tetrachlorocuprate (II)
Copper ions in copper sulphate react with chloride ions in concentrated hydrochloric acid, resulting in the formation of tetrachlorocuprate (II).
Cu2+ + 4Cl– -------→ CuCl42-
Decomposition Reaction
CuSO4 undergoes a decomposition reaction when heated to 650oC, yielding cupric oxide (CuO) and SO3 (sulfur trioxide).
CuSO4 ------→ CuO + SO3
Reaction with Zinc
Copper Sulfate, on reaction with zinc, will form a zinc sulfate compound.
CuSO4 + Zn→Cu + ZnSO4
Single Metal Replacement Reaction
Single Metal Replacement Reaction is a form of reaction where one metal displaces another metal in the reaction. In this process, iron is submerged in the copper sulfate reaction.
Fe + CuSO4 → FeSO4 + Cu
- Copper sulfate is highly soluble in water, with solubility values of 1.055 molal at 10oC and 1.502 molal at 30oC.
Physical Properties of Copper Sulfate
The physical properties of copper sulfate are as follows:
- When anhydrous, copper sulphate is essentially a white powder.
- It is a blue crystalline solid in its pentahydrate form.
- Copper Sulphate has a density of 3.60 g mL-1 in anhydrous form and 2.28 g mL-1 in pentahydrate form.
- The melting point of anhydrous salt is 110°C, and decomposes into pentahydrate form.
- Similarly, above 520oC, the anhydrous salt decomposes.
- Regarding solubility, it is soluble in water and methanol.
- On the other hand, copper sulphate is insoluble in ethanol and acetone.
- Furthermore, the flame test for the compound produces a green flame.
Uses of Copper Sulfate
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The uses of copper sulfate are as follows:
- Agriculture is the most common field in which the product is extensively used.
- Industries, on the other hand, have found it useful in dyeing and electroplating.
- Copper sulfate is used in the production of some of the most effective fungicides on the market.
- However, a copper overdose can result in both acute and chronic liver damage.
- Copper sulphate is used in a variety of industries, and the synthetic fibre industry is one such example.
- It makes use of the compound in the production of its raw materials.
- The compound is also widely used in the metal industry.
- It serves as an electrolyte in the copper refining and copper coating of steel wire before wire drawing.
- The compund is used in bookbinding glues that prevents insectal attack on books.
Health and Environmental Impacts of Copper Sulfate
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When CUSO4 concentrations are high, it can be extremely toxic to aquatic life. When combined with chlorates, copper sulphate can cause toxic flames. In low concentrations, however, it is not harmful to humans.
- High exposure to compounds will lead to eye irritation.
- Continuous intake of the compound leads to nausea, vomiting, and impairment of body tissues.
- It can also damage blood cells, the liver, and the kidney.
- Sometimes, extreme exposure to compounds may lead to death.
Things to Remember
- Copper sulphate is an inorganic compound formed by the combination of copper and sulphate.
- The compound is used in agriculture and non-agricultural settings as a fungicide, algaecide, root killer, and herbicide.
- It's also an antimicrobial and a molluscicide.
- When copper crystals are added to water, the particles lose their attraction to one another.
- The particles begin to move continuously, becoming mixed up with the water.
- It is known as a hydrated copper sulphate solution.
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Sample Questions
Ques. Answer the following: (A) What is the purpose of copper sulphate
(B) Why is anhydrous copper sulphate white and pentahydrate copper sulphate blue ? (3 marks)
Ans. (A) The purpose is that CUSO4 is used as a fungicide because it can kill a wide range of fungi. With the help of this compound, blood samples can be tested for conditions such as anaemia.
(B) The water molecules surrounding the Central Metal (Cu) act as ligands in hydrated CuSO4, resulting in a d-d transition and thus emitting blue color in the visible region, making hydrated CuSO4 appear blue. Because anhydrous cuso4 contains no water during crystallization, it retains its white color.
Ques. Is copper sulphate a solid or aqueous solution? (2 marks)
Ans. Copper(II) sulphate is a hydrated, blue solid, meaning it is bound to water molecules. When it is anhydrous – that is, when it is not molecularly bound to water – it turns whitish. When it is hydrated, five molecules of water are usually attached to one copper sulphate molecule. Heating the CuSO4 causes it to dehydrate.
Ques. Despite its toxicity to humans, copper is an extremely important chemical compound, as the uses described above. (2 marks)
Ans. It is not safe to touch copper sulphate. It is poisonous to humans. Because copper sulphate is easily absorbed through the skin, those who administer it must exercise extreme caution to avoid even minor skin contact with it. If you come into contact with it, it can cause itching and permanent yellow discoloration of your skin.
Ques. Answer the following: (A) What is the chemical name for copper sulphate
(B) CuSO4 has what atomic number? (2 marks)
Ans. (A) The chemical name for copper sulphate is Blue Vitriol.
(B) CuSO4. 5H2O has the following molecular mass: (Atomic mass of Cu = 63.5, H = 1, O = 16, S = 32)
Ques. What type of element is Copper Sulphate? (2 marks)
Ans. Commercial copper is typically 98 percent pure copper sulphate with traces of water. Anhydrous copper sulphate contains 39.81 percent copper and 60.19 percent sulphate by mass, whereas hydrous copper sulphate contains 25.47 percent copper, 38.47 percent sulphate (12.82 percent sulfur), and 36.06 percent water by mass.
Ques. Explain (A) What causes CuSO4 to be acidic
What is the chemical formula for CuSO4? (2 marks)
Ans. (A) Copper sulphate is a salt of a strong acid, H2SO4, and a weak base, Cu(OH)2, it is acidified. In water, the hydrogen ion is greater than the hydroxyl ion. As a result, the solution has an acidic pH.
(B) Cupric hydroxide is a weak base and sulfuric acid is a strong acid, hydrogen ion in water is greater than hydroxyl ion, and as a result, the aqueous solution of copper sulphate is acidic.
Ques.CuSO4 has what kind of bond? (2 marks)
Ans. According to the researchers, Cuso4 is an ionic compound with a covalent bond. Copper is classified as a metal on the periodic table, while sulfur and oxygen are classified as nonmetals. The combination of a metal and a nonmetal result in ionic. Copper has two plus charges, while So4 has two minus charges.
Ques. What are the uses of copper sulfate? (3 marks)
Ans. The uses of copper sulfate are as follows:
- Copper sulfate is used in the production of some of the most effective fungicides on the market.
- The synthetic fibre industry make use the compound.
- It makes use of the compound in the production of its raw materials.
- It serves as an electrolyte in the copper refining and copper coating of steel wire before wire drawing.
- The compund is used in bookbinding glues that prevents insectal attack on books.
Ques. Why is the colour of the anhydrous copper sulphate compound white and the pentahydrate blue? (3 marks)
Ans.
In the hydrated form of copper sulfate, the central copper molecule will act as ligands, which results in the formation of a d-d transition. As a result of which, they will emit a blue colour in the visible region.- This results in exhibiting pentahydrate copper sulfate blue.
- Since it is known that the compound does not have any crystallization molecule of water.
- Due to which it will retain its white colour.
Ques. Mention the reaction when copper sulfate undergoes decomposition and displacement reaction? (2 marks)
Ans. The reaction when copper sulfate undergoes decomposition and displacement reaction are as follows:
CuSO4 ------→ CuO + SO3
Fe + CuSO4 → FeSO4 + Cu
Ques. What is the industrial application of copper sulfate solution? (3 marks)
Ans. The mining industry has demonstrated the use of the copper sulfate solution. It functions as an activator in the concentration process of lead, gold, and cobalt ores through froth flotation.
- There is also a rise in the use of copper sulphate in other sectors, such as printing.
- It serves as an etching agent to engrave the print and as an electrolyte in the electrotype process.
- It is also a key component of glass coloring and is utilized in anti-fouling paints.
- It is reasonable to conclude that the chemical is used in practically every industry that exists today.
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