Copper sulfate and copper sulfate pentahydrate are inorganic compounds with similar chemical properties and many applications. Copper sulfate has two main forms: hydrous and anhydrous forms.
What is the difference between copper sulfate and copper sulfate pentahydrate? Copper sulfate is an anhydrous form, while copper sulfate pentahydrate is a hydrous form with five water molecules attached to each copper sulfate unit.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Copper Sulfate
– Definition, Features
2. What is Copper Sulfate Pentahydrate
– Definition, Features
3. Similarities Between Copper Sulfate and Copper Sulfate Pentahydrate
– Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Copper Sulfate and Copper Sulfate Pentahydrate
– Comparison of Key Differences
5. FAQ: Copper Sulfate and Copper Sulfate Pentahydrate
– Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
Key Terms
Copper Sulfate, CuSO₄, Copper Sulfate Pentahydrate, CuSO₄·5H₂O
What is Copper Sulfate
Copper sulfate has the molecular formula CuSO₄. Its anhydrous form is white in colour. It also has a hydrous form that is blue in colour. It is highly soluble in water. Its molecular weight is 159.61 g/mol, and its melting point is 603 °C (1117 °F). Moreover, it has a density of 2.28 g/cm³.
Copper sulfate is produced through two main methods. They are as follows.
- Oxidation of Copper: Copper metal is heated in the presence of oxygen and sulfuric acid to form copper sulfate and water.
- Reaction of Copper Oxide with Sulfuric Acid: Copper oxide (CuO) reacts with sulfuric acid to produce copper sulfate and water.
Copper sulfate forms complexes with various ligands, such as ammonia and chloride ions. These complexes can vary in their color and properties. In certain chemical reactions, copper sulfate can act as an oxidizing agent or as a reducing agent.
There are several uses of copper sulfate. It is useful in volumetric analysis as a primary standard for the determination of water content in samples. Moreover, it can be used as a desiccant for drying gases and liquids. It is also used as an algaecide or a fungicide in agriculture. In the textile industry, it acts as a mordant in the dyeing process. Furthermore, it acts as a solution in electroplating.
What is Copper Sulfate Pentahydrate
Copper sulfate pentahydrate has a chemical formula CuSO₄·5H₂O. It is a bright blue solid. It is highly soluble in water. The pentahydrate indicates that five molecules of water are chemically bound to each copper sulfate molecule. The crystal structure of this compound is monoclinic. Moreover, the copper ion (Cu²⁺) is surrounded by five water molecules in order to form a coordination complex. The complex also contains sulfate ions. This arrangement gives a blue colour to the crystal. It also reacts with compounds as an oxidizing agent to release oxygen.
Copper sulfate pentahydrate is used in agriculture as a fungicide and algaecide. It is added to animal feed as a dietary supplement to provide the needed copper content for animals. Copper sulfate pentahydrate is also useful in copper electroplating. Furthermore, copper sulfate pentahydrate is a popular choice for growing large blue crystals.
Similarities Between Copper Sulfate and Copper Sulfate Pentahydrate
- Both compounds contain copper (Cu) and sulfate (SO₄) ions.
- Both compounds exhibit similar chemical properties.
Difference Between Copper Sulfate and Copper Sulfate Pentahydrate
Definition
- Copper sulfate is an inorganic compound made of copper, sulfur, and oxygen, while copper sulfate pentahydrate is a hydrated form of copper sulfate containing five water molecules.
Form
- Copper sulfate is anhydrous, meaning it doesn’t contain any water molecules, while copper sulfate pentahydrate has 5 water molecules per formula unit.
Appearance
- Copper sulfate is a white crystalline powder, whereas copper sulfate pentahydrate is a blue crystalline solid.
Solubility
- Copper sulfate pentahydrate is more soluble in water in comparison to the anhydrous form due to the presence of water molecules.
Crystal System
- Copper sulfate crystallizes in the orthorhombic crystal system, while copper sulfate pentahydrate crystallizes in the triclinic crystal system.
Conclusion
Copper sulfate has two forms: the anhydrous form and the hydrous form. The main difference between copper sulfate and copper sulfate pentahydrate is the number of water molecules attached to it. Copper sulfate has no water molecules, while copper sulfate pentahydrate has five water molecules attached to each copper sulfate unit.
FAQ: Copper Sulfate and Copper Sulfate Pentahydrate
1. What is copper sulphate pentahydrate used for?
Copper sulphate pentahydrate is used as a fungicide, herbicide, and algaecide. It is also useful in the dyeing of textiles and in electroplating.
2. What happens when CuSO4.5H2O is dissolved in water?
CuSO4.5H2O dissolves in water to form a blue aqueous solution of copper sulfate. The hydrated copper ions (Cu2+) interact with water molecules, creating a complex ion.
3. What happens when you heat copper sulfate pentahydrate?
When copper sulfate pentahydrate is heated, it loses its water molecules, turning from blue to white. This process is called dehydration.
4. What are the two forms of copper sulfate?
Copper sulfate exists in two main forms: anhydrous copper sulfate (white powder) and pentahydrate copper sulfate (blue crystals).
Reference:
1. “Copper Sulfate – An Overview.” Science Direct.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Copper sulfate anhydrous” By W. Oelen – (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Síran měďnatý” By Ondřej Mangl – Own work (Public Domain) via Comons Wikimedia
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