Products
Copper sulfate is available as a pure substance in pharmacies and drugstores. It is also found as an active ingredient in medicines, for example in copper zinc solution (Eau d’Alibour).
Structure and properties
Copper(II) sulfate (CuSO4, Mr = 159.6 g/mol) is a copper salt of sulfuric acid. In pharmacy as often used copper sulfate pentahydrate (- 5 H2O) is used, a blue, crystalline and odorless powder or translucent blue crystals that are readily soluble in water. Anhydrous copper sulfate is a greenish gray powder. Copper sulfate can be prepared with concentrated sulfuric acid and elemental copper.
Effects
Copper sulfate has antimicrobial, antifungal, corrosive, and astringent properties.
Fields of application
In the form of suitable preparations:
- For the topical treatment of skin diseases.
- Copper sulfate is contained in various alternative medicines.
- For the treatment of an algae infestation, see copper sulfate as an algae remedy.
- As a reagent.
- As a fungicide against fungal attack on plants.
For chemical experiments:
- When copper sulfate pentahydrate is heated, it loses the water of crystallization and its blue color, because the anhydrous copper sulfate is gray. The process can be reversed by adding water.
- For growing crystals.
- Elemental iron reacts with copper sulfate to form ferrous sulfate. In the process, the copper ion is replaced by an iron ion. For example, a nail made of iron is coated with copper when immersed in a copper sulfate solution. At the same time, the solution becomes greenish due to the newly formed iron sulfate:
See also under redox reactions.
Adverse effects
Pure copper sulfate is harmful to health when ingested. It causes skin irritation, severe eye irritation and is highly toxic to aquatic organisms. The appropriate precautions in the Material Safety Data Sheet must be observed.
