Copper Sulphate (CuSo4) - Preparation, Structure, Properties, Uses, FAQs

Edited By Team Careers360 | Updated on Jul 02, 2025 04:50 PM IST

What is copper sulphate?

chemical name is copper sulfate or copper ii sulfate also known by the name copper sulphate is one of the main inorganic compound. Copper sulfate is generally known as a term which is related with many chemical compounds the main one are cuprous sulfate. The copper sulphate formula is or chemical formula of copper sulphate is. Later for this formula the name mentioned by the scientist is Copper sulfate. Hence from this we can get an idea that systematic name of is copper sulfate. Other than copper sulphate it is known by the names blue vitriol, roman vitriol, vitriol of copper and bluestone.

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What is copper sulphate?
Copper sulfate structure
Preparation of
Properties of copper sulfate:
Copper sulphate uses:

One of the most common form of copper sulfate is known as its pentahydrate form. Anhydrous copper sulphate contains no water or moisture. It is dry in texture. The hydrated copper sulphate formula is known by the name copper sulfate pentahydrate, where penta term corresponds to the number of water i.e. hydra atoms which is 5. The purest form of copper sulfate pentahydrate is blue in color. But if we look about its anhydrous form then this salt is present in white color. Basically it is present in the form of salt which can be shown as below:

Copper sulphate colour

Copper sulphate solution is prepared by dissolving copper sulphate in water as it is highly soluble in water.

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Copper sulfate structure

The molecule of copper sulfate contains an ionic bond between cation and anion where cation are positively charged ions and in this case copper is act as cation with +2 charge shown as and anion is negatively charged ion which is represented by sulfate ion also carries -2 charge represented as . Total charge of any compound should be balanced. The structure of copper sulfate can be shown as:

Copper sulphate formula

Here copper shows +2 charge while on sulfate two oxygen atom carries -1 charge overall charge is zero. In the similar manner if we talk about copper sulfate pentahydrate represented by the formula contains five water molecule along with this formula and water molecule are neutral in nature so no effect will be produced by them and the structure can be shown as below:

Copper sulphate pentahydrate structure

The only difference is involvement of five water molecules.

Preparation of

Preparation of copper sulfate is one of the easiest method it can be prepared by heating metallic copper and reacts it with concentrated sulphuric acid which gives copper sulfate as a product and also liberate hydrogen gas along with copper sufate. Other than metallic copper, copper sulfate can also be prepared by reaction of oxides of copper with dilute sulphuric acid and produce copper sulfate which is blue in color. Oxidation state shown by copper in copper sulfate is +2. The general formula for copper sulfate is , here x lies in between 0-5. Pentahydrate in which x is 5 is one of the most common form. This pentahydrate form of copper sulfate dissolves in water which gives us aqua complex of formula which shows octahedral geometry and this reaction is highly exothermic in nature while exothermic process is that in which heat is evolved.

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Properties of copper sulfate:

Properties of copper sulfate can be explained on the basis of physical and chemical properties. On this basis properties can be explained as follows:

Physical properties of copper sulfate: Physical properties mentioned the appearance of copper sulfate its shape, boiling point, melting point, solubility etc. These can be explained as follows:

1. Molar mass which is known as the smallest mass unit of any compound corresponds to one twelfth of the mass of carbon. Copper sulfate molar mass is known to us is 159.609 grams per mole and molar mass of copper sulfate penhydrate is 249.685 grams per mole.

2. Copper sulfate is basically present in the form of powdery substance out of which anhydrous form i.e. the form which is free from water molecules is of silvery white color and copper sulfate pentahydrate is present as blue colored powder.

3. The one common property in both anhydrous and hydrated copper sulfate is that they tend to decompose on heating and both will not have exact boiling points.

4. Anhydrous copper sulfate has structure in the shape of orthorhombic while hydrous copper sulfate contains structure of triclinic crystal.

Other than physical properties there are many chemical properties like its different types of reaction with different substances which can be shown as follows:

NCERT Chemistry Notes:

Chemical properties of copper sulfate: The main chemical properties shown by copper sulfate are:

1. Cooper ions present in copper sulfate generally reacts with chloride ions of hydrochloric acid and gives tetrachlorocuprate as a product. This generally involves in two steps in first step hydrochloric acid dissociates into hydrogen and chloride ions which can be shown as:

After that these chloride ions reacts copper ions gives the product called tetrachlorocuprate here tetra chloro represents the 4 chlorine atom and the reaction can be shown as:

2. Heating of copper sulfate: When we heat copper sulfate at then it undergoes through the process called decomposition which yield to give products known by the name cupric oxide shown by the formula and sulfur trioxide shown by .

3. Solubility: Copper sulfate is said to be highly soluble in water. The solubility values of copper sulfates at and will be 1.055 molal and 1.502 molal respectively.

The main example of copper sulfate is displacement reaction in which that metal which is highly reactive in nature displace the other metal ion which is of low reactivity it can be shown as:

This reaction suggests that copper is less reactive than iron therefore it is able to replace copper ion.

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Copper sulphate uses:

Copper sulfate shows many type of industrial as well as chemical applications which can be described as follows:

1. Pentahydrate copper sulfate is used as fungicide due to its tendency to kill several types of fungi.

2. The one of main application of copper sulfate is it is used as Benedict solution and Fehling solution in reducing sugars.

3. Copper sulfate also have some medical uses like it used to test blood samples for anemia diseases.

4. Copper sulfate generally mixed with potassium permanganate which further form oxidant.

5. In the process of vegetable dying it is used as a dye fixative.

6. Aqueous solution of copper sulfate can be used as a resistive element for liquid resistors.

7. It can also use for decorative purposes like it add color to cement and other ceramic items and too metal also.

8. It is also added in glues used in binding of books for the purpose of killing insects in printed papers.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Anhydrate copper sulfate is white in color while hydrous copper sulfate is of blue color. Explain.

In case of hydrated copper sulfate the water molecules are surrounding towards the central metal atom copper which further acts as a ligand and go through d-d transitions which emit blue color in visible region and appears blue to us while in anhydrous copper sulfate no transitions can be seen.

2. What is the chemical name of ?

Copper sulfate.

3. What is the color of ?

It is present as blue color.

4. Copper sulfate form which type of bond?

Ionic bond.

5. What is the structure of copper sulphate pentahydrate?

In copper sulphate pentahydrate (CuSO4·5H2O), the copper ion is surrounded by four water molecules in a square planar arrangement, with the fifth water molecule and the sulphate ion occupying the axial positions, forming a distorted octahedral structure.

6. How does copper sulphate demonstrate the Jahn-Teller effect?

Copper sulphate demonstrates the Jahn-Teller effect through the distortion of its octahedral structure. The Cu2+ ion, with its d9 configuration, experiences an elongation of the octahedron along one axis, resulting in four short Cu-O bonds and two long Cu-O bonds.

7. How does copper sulphate illustrate the concept of coordination number?

Copper sulphate illustrates the concept of coordination number through its hydrated form. In copper sulphate pentahydrate, the copper ion has a coordination number of 6, with four water molecules in the equatorial plane and two axial positions occupied by a water molecule and a sulphate ion.

8. How does copper sulphate illustrate the concept of hydration energy?

Copper sulphate illustrates hydration energy through its strong interaction with water molecules. The high hydration energy of Cu2+ ions is evident in the formation of the stable pentahydrate and the energy required to remove these water molecules during dehydration.

9. How does copper sulphate behave as an electrolyte?

Copper sulphate behaves as a strong electrolyte in aqueous solution. It dissociates completely into Cu2+ and SO42- ions, making the solution highly conductive. This property makes it useful in electrochemical applications and as a standard solution in conductivity measurements.

10. Why is copper sulphate used as a fungicide and algaecide?

Copper sulphate is used as a fungicide and algaecide due to its toxic effects on these organisms. The Cu2+ ions interfere with enzyme systems and cellular processes in fungi and algae, inhibiting their growth and reproduction.

11. How does copper sulphate act as a dehydrating agent?

Anhydrous copper sulphate acts as a dehydrating agent because it has a strong affinity for water molecules. It can absorb water from its surroundings, changing from white to blue in the process, making it useful for detecting the presence of water in organic solvents.

12. What is the role of copper sulphate in organic synthesis?

In organic synthesis, copper sulphate is used as a catalyst in various reactions. It can catalyze oxidation reactions, act as a Lewis acid, and participate in coupling reactions. Its ability to form complexes with organic molecules makes it versatile in synthetic chemistry.

13. Why is copper sulphate used in electroplating?

Copper sulphate is used in electroplating because it provides a source of copper ions (Cu2+) in solution. When an electric current is passed through the solution, these ions are reduced to metallic copper at the cathode, depositing a layer of copper on the object being plated.

14. What is the significance of copper sulphate in testing for reducing sugars?

Copper sulphate is a key component in Benedict's and Fehling's solutions used to test for reducing sugars. In alkaline conditions, Cu2+ ions from copper sulphate are reduced to Cu+ by reducing sugars, forming a red copper(I) oxide precipitate.

15. How is copper sulphate prepared in the laboratory?

Copper sulphate can be prepared in the laboratory by reacting copper oxide (CuO) with dilute sulphuric acid (H2SO4). The reaction is: CuO + H2SO4 → CuSO4 + H2O. The resulting solution is then evaporated to obtain copper sulphate crystals.

16. What is the role of copper sulphate in the production of copper metal?

Copper sulphate plays a crucial role in copper metal production through the process of electrowinning. In this process, copper ions from a copper sulphate solution are electrodeposited onto a cathode, producing pure copper metal.

17. Why is copper sulphate used in analytical chemistry as a standard solution?

Copper sulphate is used as a standard solution in analytical chemistry due to its stability, known composition, and ease of preparation. It can be used to standardize other solutions, particularly in redox titrations and complexometric analyses.

18. How does copper sulphate demonstrate the principle of solubility equilibrium?

Copper sulphate demonstrates solubility equilibrium in its saturated solution. The equilibrium exists between the dissolved Cu2+ and SO42- ions and the undissolved CuSO4 solid. This equilibrium is characterized by the solubility product constant (Ksp) of copper sulphate.

19. What is the role of copper sulphate in the production of rayon?

In rayon production, copper sulphate is used in the preparation of cuprammonium solution, also known as Schweizer's reagent. This solution dissolves cellulose, which is then extruded into an acid bath to form rayon fibers.

20. Why does anhydrous copper sulphate appear white while hydrated copper sulphate is blue?

Anhydrous copper sulphate (CuSO4) is white because it lacks water molecules in its crystal structure. When hydrated (CuSO4·5H2O), the water molecules coordinate with copper ions, causing d-d transitions that absorb light in the orange-red region, making the compound appear blue.

21. How does copper sulphate behave when heated?

When copper sulphate pentahydrate is heated, it loses water molecules in stages. It first loses 4 water molecules at around 30-110°C, turning light blue. The last water molecule is lost at about 250°C, resulting in white anhydrous copper sulphate.

22. What is the significance of copper sulphate as a transition metal compound?

Copper sulphate is a significant transition metal compound because it exhibits properties characteristic of d-block elements, such as the ability to form colored compounds, variable oxidation states, and the formation of complex ions.

23. How does copper sulphate demonstrate the concept of coordination compounds?

Copper sulphate forms coordination compounds by acting as a central metal ion (Cu2+) that can bind to various ligands. In its hydrated form, water molecules act as ligands, coordinating with the copper ion to form a complex.

24. How does copper sulphate demonstrate the concept of crystal field splitting?

Copper sulphate demonstrates crystal field splitting through the arrangement of water molecules around the Cu2+ ion. The octahedral crystal field created by the ligands causes the d-orbitals of copper to split into two energy levels, resulting in the characteristic blue color.

25. What is copper sulphate and what is its chemical formula?

Copper sulphate is a blue crystalline inorganic compound. Its chemical formula is CuSO4. In its hydrated form, it exists as CuSO4·5H2O, commonly known as blue vitriol or copper sulphate pentahydrate.

26. Why is copper sulphate used in agriculture as a soil amendment?

Copper sulphate is used as a soil amendment in agriculture to correct copper deficiencies in plants. Copper is an essential micronutrient for plant growth, and copper sulphate provides a soluble form of copper that can be easily absorbed by plant roots.

27. How does copper sulphate illustrate the concept of Lewis acids and bases?

Copper sulphate illustrates the concept of Lewis acids and bases through its ability to form complexes. The Cu2+ ion acts as a Lewis acid by accepting electron pairs from ligands (Lewis bases) such as water molecules or ammonia to form coordination compounds.

28. Why is copper sulphate used in organic chemistry as an oxidizing agent?

Copper sulphate is used as an oxidizing agent in organic chemistry due to the ability of Cu2+ ions to accept electrons. It can oxidize various organic compounds, particularly in the presence of a base. This property is utilized in reactions such as the oxidation of primary alcohols to aldehydes.

29. How does copper sulphate demonstrate the concept of crystal hydrates?

Copper sulphate demonstrates the concept of crystal hydrates through its pentahydrate form (CuSO4·5H2O). This compound contains a specific number of water molecules in its crystal structure, which are essential to its properties and can be removed by heating.

30. Why does copper sulphate solution conduct electricity?

Copper sulphate solution conducts electricity because it dissociates into Cu2+ and SO42- ions in water. These ions are mobile and can carry electric charge through the solution, allowing for the flow of electric current.

31. What is the significance of copper sulphate in qualitative analysis?

In qualitative analysis, copper sulphate is used to identify certain ions and functional groups. For example, it can be used to test for the presence of reducing sugars, to identify certain amino acids, and in the detection of water in organic solvents.

32. How does copper sulphate illustrate the concept of transition metal complexes?

Copper sulphate illustrates transition metal complexes through its ability to form various coordination compounds. The Cu2+ ion can bind with different ligands, forming complexes with different geometries, colors, and properties, demonstrating the versatility of transition metal chemistry.

33. How does copper sulphate demonstrate the principle of Le Chatelier's principle?

Copper sulphate demonstrates Le Chatelier's principle through its hydration-dehydration equilibrium. Adding or removing water shifts the equilibrium between the hydrated and anhydrous forms, illustrating how a system responds to changes in conditions to maintain equilibrium.

34. What is the significance of copper sulphate in the study of coordination chemistry?

Copper sulphate is significant in coordination chemistry as it serves as a model compound for studying various aspects of metal-ligand interactions, such as geometry, color, magnetic properties, and ligand field effects in transition metal complexes.

35. How does copper sulphate illustrate the concept of crystal field theory?

Copper sulphate illustrates crystal field theory through the splitting of d-orbitals of the Cu2+ ion when surrounded by ligands. The octahedral arrangement of water molecules in copper sulphate pentahydrate creates a crystal field that affects the energy levels of the d-orbitals, resulting in its characteristic blue color.

36. Why is copper sulphate used in the production of germicides and wood preservatives?

Copper sulphate is used in germicides and wood preservatives due to its toxic effects on microorganisms and fungi. The Cu2+ ions interfere with cellular processes in these organisms, preventing their growth and reproduction, thus protecting materials from decay and degradation.

37. How does copper sulphate demonstrate the concept of redox reactions?

Copper sulphate demonstrates redox reactions through its ability to act as an oxidizing agent. In reactions, the Cu2+ ion can accept electrons, being reduced to Cu+ or Cu0, while simultaneously oxidizing another species. This property is utilized in various chemical processes and tests.

38. What is the role of copper sulphate in the production of synthetic fibers?

In the production of synthetic fibers, particularly rayon, copper sulphate is used to prepare cuprammonium solution (Schweizer's reagent). This solution dissolves cellulose, which is then extruded and regenerated to form rayon fibers, demonstrating the compound's importance in industrial processes.

39. How does copper sulphate illustrate the concept of ligand exchange reactions?

Copper sulphate illustrates ligand exchange reactions through its ability to replace coordinated water molecules with other ligands. For example, when ammonia is added to a copper sulphate solution, the water ligands are replaced by ammonia molecules, changing the complex's color from blue to deep blue.

40. Why is copper sulphate used in the purification of copper by electrolysis?

Copper sulphate is used in copper purification by electrolysis because it provides a source of copper ions in solution. Impure copper acts as the anode, pure copper is deposited on the cathode, and the electrolyte is a copper sulphate solution, allowing for the selective transfer of copper ions.

41. How does copper sulphate demonstrate the principle of common ion effect?

Copper sulphate demonstrates the common ion effect when its solubility is decreased by adding a compound with a common ion (either Cu2+ or SO42-). This effect is based on Le Chatelier's principle and is important in understanding precipitation reactions and solubility equilibria.

42. What is the significance of copper sulphate in studying the spectrochemical series?

Copper sulphate is significant in studying the spectrochemical series as it allows for the comparison of different ligands' field strengths. By replacing water ligands with other ligands and observing the resulting color changes, one can arrange ligands in order of their ability to split d-orbitals.

43. How does copper sulphate illustrate the concept of hydrolysis of salts?

Copper sulphate illustrates the hydrolysis of salts through the slight acidity of its aqueous solution. The Cu2+ ion undergoes hydrolysis, forming [Cu(H2O)5(OH)]+ and H+ ions, resulting in a pH slightly below 7. This demonstrates how salts of weak bases and strong acids behave in water.

44. Why is copper sulphate used in the manufacture of artificial gems?

Copper sulphate is used in the manufacture of artificial gems due to its ability to form colored crystals. By incorporating small amounts of copper sulphate into growing crystals of other substances, various shades of blue can be imparted to create imitation gemstones.

45. How does copper sulphate demonstrate the concept of coordination isomerism?

Copper sulphate demonstrates coordination isomerism through its ability to form different complex ions with the same chemical formula but different arrangements of ligands. For example, [Cu(NH3)4]SO4 and [Cu(H2O)4]SO4 are coordination isomers with different properties and colors.

46. What is the role of copper sulphate in the detection of water in organic solvents?

Anhydrous copper sulphate is used to detect water in organic solvents due to its color change from white to blue in the presence of water. This property makes it an effective and visual indicator for the presence of moisture in solvents used in organic synthesis.

47. How does copper sulphate illustrate the concept of crystal field stabilization energy?

Copper sulphate illustrates crystal field stabilization energy through the arrangement of its d-electrons in the split d-orbitals. The octahedral field created by the ligands results in a stabilization of the Cu2+ ion, which contributes to the compound's stability and its characteristic properties.

48. Why is copper sulphate used in the production of dry cell batteries?

Copper sulphate is used in some types of dry cell batteries, particularly in copper-zinc cells, where it serves as the electrolyte and the source of copper ions. Its ability to conduct electricity in solution and participate in redox reactions makes it suitable for this application.

49. How does copper sulphate demonstrate the principle of hard and soft acids and bases (HSAB)?

Copper sulphate demonstrates the HSAB principle through the behavior of Cu2+ as a borderline acid. It can form complexes with both hard bases (like water) and soft bases (like ammonia), illustrating the versatility of transition metals in forming coordination compounds.

50. What is the significance of copper sulphate in studying the trans effect in coordination compounds?

While copper sulphate itself doesn't directly demonstrate the trans effect, its ability to form various complexes makes it useful in studying this phenomenon. By observing the rates of ligand substitution in copper complexes, chemists can investigate the influence of trans ligands on reaction rates.

51. How does copper sulphate illustrate the concept of electron configuration in transition metals?

Copper sulphate illustrates the electron configuration of transition metals through the properties of the Cu2+ ion. The d9 configuration of Cu2+ results in its paramagnetic nature, color, and tendency to form distorted octahedral complexes, demonstrating how electron configuration influences chemical behavior.

52. Why is copper sulphate used in the production of pyrotechnics?

Copper sulphate is used in pyrotechnics to produce blue-green flames. When heated, copper compounds emit light in the blue-green region of the spectrum. This property is utilized to create colorful effects in fireworks and other pyrotechnic displays.

53. How does copper sulphate demonstrate the concept of ligand field theory?

Copper sulphate demonstrates ligand field theory through the splitting of d-orbitals in its complexes. The arrangement of ligands around the Cu2+ ion creates an electric field that affects the energy levels of the d-orbitals, explaining the compound's color, magnetic properties, and reactivity.