Uses of copper sulfate

Copper sulfate is a high molecular substance with a blue crystal appearance. Sulfuric acid is a highly corrosive chemical substance. It is in liquid state, but after it is combined with copper to form copper sulfate, its corrosiveness disappears. It also has many uses. It can be used to protect crops from corrosion. It also has other uses, but many people don’t know. So what are the uses of copper sulfate?

Copper sulfate (chemical formula: CuSO4) is a white or off-white powder. The aqueous solution is weakly acidic and appears blue. However, when it crystallizes from an aqueous solution, blue copper sulfate pentahydrate (CuSO4·5H2O, also known as copper sulfate) is generated. This principle can be used to test the presence of water. It decomposes after losing its crystal water when heated. It is very stable at room temperature and pressure, does not deliquesce, and will gradually weather in dry air.

Copper sulfate is an important raw material for the preparation of other copper-containing compounds. Mixed with lime milk, it produces Bordeaux mixture, which is used as a fungicide. It is also used as electrolyte in electrolytic refining of copper.

Used as analytical reagents, for example, it can be used in biology to prepare Fehling's reagent for identifying reducing sugars and liquid B of biuret reagent for identifying proteins, but it is usually prepared and used immediately;

Used as food grade chelating agent and clarifying agent in the production process of preserved eggs and wine;

Industrial field. It is used to manufacture other copper salts such as cuprous chloride, cupric chloride, copper pyrophosphate, cuprous oxide, cupric acetate, cupric carbonate, copper monoazo dyes such as reactive brilliant blue and reactive violet; in the coating industry, it is used to produce antifouling paint for ship bottoms; in the electroplating industry, it is used as the main salt for full-bright acid copper plating and a copper ion additive; in the printing and dyeing industry, it is used as a mordant and an oxygen aid for fine dyeing; in the organic industry, it is used as a catalyst for the synthesis of fragrances and dye intermediates, and an inhibitor for methyl methacrylate. Anhydrous salts are used to catalyze transacetalization reactions. The anhydrous salt reacts with potassium permanganate to form an oxidizing agent for the conversion of primary alcohols.

In the agricultural field, it is mixed with lime water to form Bordeaux mixture, which is used as a fungicide to control fungi on crops and prevent rot of fruits. Since copper ions are toxic to fish, the dosage must be strictly controlled. The aquaculture industry also uses it as the main raw material for trace element copper in feed additives;

Dehydrating agent for alcohols and organic compounds. Gas desiccant.

In chemistry education, copper sulfate is often included in children's chemical experiment reagents for use in crystal formation experiments and copper electroplating experiments. Because of its toxicity, it is not recommended for use by young children. Copper sulfate can also be used to demonstrate the process of crystal dehydration and weathering and the acquisition of crystal water.

In the junior high school experimental test, the law of conservation of mass was verified using the substitution reaction between copper sulfate and iron. It can also produce sulfuric acid.

Used as an emetic in the medical field.