Characteristic

Copper(II) sulfate, also known as copper sulphate, are the inorganic compounds with the chemical formula CuSO₄(H₂O)x, where x can range from 0 to 5. The pentahydrate (x = 5) is the most common form. Older names for this compound include blue vitriol, bluestone, vitriol of copper, and Roman vitriol.

Chemical formula:CuSO₄·5H₂O (pentahydrate)

Molar mass :249.685 g/mol (pentahydrate)

Appearance:blue (pentahydrate)

Density:2.286 g/cm³ (pentahydrate)

Melting point:110 °C (230 °F; 383 K) decomposes (·5H2O)

Boiling point:decomposes

Solubility in water:1.055 molal (10 °C);1.26 molal (20 °C);1.502 molal (30 °C)

Solubility:soluble in methanol 10.4 g/L (18 °C)

           insoluble in ethanol, insoluble in acetone

Magnetic susceptibility (χ):+1330·10−6 cm3/mol

Refractive index (nD):1.514–1.544 (pentahydrate)

Crystal structure:Orthorhombic

Application

Copper(II) sulfate, pentahydrate can be added with potassium permanganate to give an oxidant for the conversion of primary alcohols. It is used to etch zinc or copper plates for intaglio printmaking and as a mordant in vegetable dyeing. In analytical chemistry, it is used in Fehling's solution and Benedict's solution to test for reducing sugars. Also, used to test protein in Biuret test.