Copper (II) sulfate

 

Copper (II) sulfate
aka Cupric sulfate

Chemical formula	CuSO4
OTP appearance	blue crystal
Molar Mass(g/mol)	159.609
Density(g/cc)	3.6
Solubility in water(g/L)	320
Solubility in ethanol(g/L)	insoluble
NFPA 704	0 2 1
Thermal decomposition of Copper sulfate pentahydrate
63	5-hydrate 63°C 3-hydrate
109	3-hydrate 109°C 1-hydrate
200	1-hydrate 200°C anhydrous
650	CuSO4 650°C CuO + SO3

Uses

Primary

• Key intermediate in production of other chemicals including metallic copper, sulfuric acid and rayon.

Secondary

• Pesticide/Fungicide component

Natural occurrence

• Does (rarely) occur naturally as the mineral chalcanthite

Hazards

• Eye and skin contact with finely divided powder is irritating
• Vomiting caused by 11mg/kg oral dose
• Larger oral doses (1-12g) can be fatal

Production

Synthesis

• Combine any copper (II) salt with sulfuric acid

  CuCl₂ + H₂SO₄ → CuSO₄ + 2 HCl // copper chloride to hydrochloric acid

  Cu(CH₃COO)₂ + H₂SO₄ → CuSO₄ + 2 CH₃COOH // copper acetate to acetic acid.

Disposal

• In common with other copper (II) salts, combine with sodium carbonate to create insoluble copper carbonate minerals (malachite and azurite)