Copper sulphate penta hydrate (CuSO4 5H2O)
Copper sulphate penta hydrate is known as blue vitirol and is the most common oxosalt of copper(2) Preparation Copper sulphate is prepared industrially by blowing a current of air through copper scrap and dilute sulphuric acid. 2Cu + 2H2O + O2 --------> 2CuSO4 + 2H2O The crude copper(2) sulphate solution obtained contain iron(2) sulphates as impurity Dilute nitric acid is added to oxidize iron(2) to iron(3) sulphate which remains in solution after crystallization and CuSO4 5H2O crystallizes out. The crystalline copper(2) sulphate, CuSO4 5H2O has the structure in which four water molecules are coordinated to the central copper cation in square planar structure. The fifth water molecule is held by hydrogen bonds between a sulphate anion and a coordinated water molecule. The fifth hydrogen bonded water molecule is deeply embedded in the crystal lattice and hence not easily removed. Properties 1. Copper sulphate penta hydrate is a blue coloured crystalline solid, soluble in water. 2. Ac...