2653. Cupric Sulfate

Nomenclature

CAS number: 7758-98-7
Sulfuric acid copper(2+) salt (1:1); copper(II) sulfate.
CuO4S; mol wt 159.61.
Cu 39.81%, O 40.10%, S 20.09%.
CuSO4.

Description and references

Occurs in nature as the mineral hydrocyanite. Commercial preparation of pentahydrate: Faith, Keyes & Clark's Industrial Chemicals, F. A. Lowenheim, M. K. Moran, Eds. (Wiley-Interscience, New York, 4th ed., 1975) pp 280-284; other prepns: Gmelins, Copper (8th ed.) 60B, 491-560 (1958). Toxicity: Smyth et al., Am. Ind. Hyg. Assoc. J. 30, 470 (1969).

Properties

Grayish-white to greenish-white rhombic crystals or amorphous powder. On heating dec above 560°. d 3.6. Hygroscopic. Sol in water. Practically insol in alcohol. Keep tightly closed.

Derivative

Monohydrate.

Nomenclature

CAS number: 10257-54-2
Dried cupric sulfate.
CuSO4.H2O; mol wt 177.62.
Cu 35.78%, S 18.05%, O 45.04%, H 1.13%.

Properties

Hygroscopic, almost white powder. Sol in water. Practically insol in alcohol. Keep tightly closed.

Derivative

Pentahydrate.

Nomenclature

CAS number: 7758-99-8
Bluestone; blue vitriol; Roman vitriol; Salzburg vitriol.
CuSO4.5H2O; mol wt 249.69.
Cu 25.45%, S 12.84%, O 57.67%, H 4.04%.

Properties

Occurs in nature as the mineral chalcanthite. Large, blue or ultramarine, triclinic crystals or blue granules or light-blue powder. Slowly efflorescent in air. Loses 2H2O at 30°, 2 more H2O at 110°; becomes anhydr by 250°. d415.6 2.286. Very sol in water; sol in methanol, glycerol; slightly sol in ethanol. pH of 0.2 molar aq soln 4.0. LD50 orally in rats: 960 mg/kg (Smyth).

Caution

A strong irritant. See also Copper.

Use

Anhydr salt for detecting and removing trace amounts of water from alcohols and other organic compds; as fungicide. Pentahydrate as agricultural fungicide, algicide, bactericide, herbicide; food and fertilizer additive; in insecticide mixtures; in manuf of other Cu salts; as mordant in textile dyeing; in prepn of azo dyes; in preserving hides; in tanning leather; in preserving wood; in electroplating solns; as battery electrolyte; in laundry and metal-marking inks; in petroleum refining; as flotation agent; pigment in paints, varnishes and other materials; in mordant baths for intensifying photographic negatives; in pyrotechnic compositions; in water-resistant adhesives for wood; in metal coloring and tinting baths; in antirusting compositions for radiator and heating systems; as reagent toner in photography and photoengraving; etc.

Therapeutic Category

Antidote to phosphorus; antifungal (topical); copper supplement.

Therapeutic Category (Veterinary)

Nutritional factor. Used in copper deficiency of ruminants. Has also been used as an anthelmintic, emetic, fungicide.

Keywords

Antiseptic/Disinfectant; Replenishers/Supplements; Copper