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Element Index
Cadmium
Calcium
Carbon
Cerium
Chlorine
Chromium
Cobalt
Copper
Hydrogen
Chemical's truth
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Combinatorial chemistry is the study of techniques capable of rapidly synthesizing and generating millions of related compounds.
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Copper(II) sulfate pentahydrate
(cupric sulfate, copper sulphate, cupric sulphate, blue vitriol, bluestone, Roman vitriol, Salzburg vitriol)
CAS no: 7758-99-8 Formula: CuSO4.5H2O Molecular weight: 249.686
Physical Data
Appearance: Odorless, blue triclinic crystalline solids
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Melting point: 110°C (decomposes)
Boiling point: -
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Density: 2.286 g/cm3
Solubility: 22.0 g/100 g H2O
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Thermodynamic Data
Enthalpy of formation: -
Gibbs energy of formation: -
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Entropy: -
Heat capacity: -
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Production and preparation
Occurs in nature as the mineral chalcanthite, a water soluble sulfate mineral. It is prepared by treating copper(II) oxide or copper metal with warm
sulfuric acid to give the blue pentahydrate salt.
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Behavior and Chemical Properties
Slowly efflorescent in air and decomposes at 110°C to lose four waters of hydration. Becomes anhydrous at 250°C and at 560°C to give copper(II) oxide (CuO).
With sodium hydroxide solution a blue-green copper(II) hydroxide precipitate is formed which turned to black CuO when heated:
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Copper is also readily displaced from aqueous solution by a more reactive metal. For example, copper is coated on metallic zinc when the latter is immersed in the copper sulfate solution:
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History and Uses
The use of copper sulfate is numerous. It is used in agriculture as a pesticide, germicide, feed additive and soil additive. Bordeaux mixture is the first fungicide developed by Millardet (1838-1902),
a French botanist. The mixture consists of copper sulfate, hydrated lime and water. It is still used to treat certain plants such as orchid.
In medicine it is used as a locally applied fungicide, bactericide and astringent.
It is also used in the preparation of other copper compounds, electrolyte for batteries and as electroplating solutions. In mining, it is used as a floatation reagent in recovery of zinc and lead.
It is also used as mordant in textile dyeing and preparation of azo dyes.
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Hazard, Storage and Handling
The salt should be stored in a cool dry place. It is acidic and causes eye, skin and respiratory tract irritations. It is readily absorbed through the skin and when swallow may cause nausea, vomiting,
headache, burning pain to chest and abdomen. Contact with skin can cause itching and eczema. Contact with eyes and skin should be avoided through the use of safety googles and rubber gloves.
In case of eye contact, flush eyes with plenty of water immediately and call a physician. If swallowed give large amount of milk or water and seek medical advice.
More information on regulations, environmental and ecological effects click here.
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(Last update: November 2002) |
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