Copper(II) sulfate pentahydrate NEW

Copper(II) Sulfate Pentahydrate (CuSO₄·5H₂O)

Key Properties

Core Uses Across Industries

1. Agriculture & Horticulture

• Fungicide: Widely used to control fungal diseases (e.g., blight, powdery mildew) in crops (wheat, rice, grapes, tomatoes) and ornamental plants. It is often formulated as Bordeaux mixture (with lime) to reduce phytotoxicity.

• Micronutrient Fertilizer: Supplies copper (an essential plant nutrient) to correct copper deficiency in soils, promoting chlorophyll synthesis and plant growth.

• Algaecide: Controls algae growth in ponds, lakes, and irrigation systems to prevent water eutrophication.

2. Industrial Applications

• Electroplating: Used as an electrolyte in copper electroplating processes (e.g., coating metal surfaces for corrosion resistance, decorative finishes).

• Mining & Metallurgy: Acts as a flotation reagent to separate copper sulfide ores from gangue minerals; also used in refining copper and extracting other metals (e.g., gold, silver) via leaching.

• Chemical Synthesis: A versatile catalyst and raw material for producing other copper compounds (e.g., copper oxide, copper chloride) and organic synthesis (e.g., oxidation reactions).

• Water Treatment: Removes algae, bacteria, and heavy metals (e.g., lead, mercury) from industrial wastewater and drinking water; also used to control mollusks (e.g., zebra mussels) in water pipelines.

3. Laboratory & Educational Settings

• Analytical Chemistry: Used as a reagent for detecting water (anhydrous CuSO₄ turns blue when hydrated) and titrating reducing agents (e.g., in iodometric titrations).

• Biology & Medicine: Preserves biological specimens (e.g., tissues, cells) and inhibits bacterial growth in culture media; historically used as an antiseptic and astringent (now largely replaced by safer alternatives).

4. Other Uses

• Wood Preservation: Treats wood to prevent rot and insect infestation (e.g., in fence posts, railroad ties).

• Textile Industry: Used in dyeing and printing fabrics (as a mordant to fix dyes to fibers) and in flame-retardant treatments.

Safety & Handling

• Avoid direct contact with skin, eyes, and clothing; wear protective gloves, goggles, and a lab coat when handling.

• In case of ingestion, seek medical attention immediately (symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain).

• Store in a cool, dry place, away from incompatible substances (e.g., metals, strong acids, reducing agents).

• Dispose of waste according to local regulations (do not discharge into water bodies directly, as it is toxic to aquatic organisms).

Commercial Significance