Cupric sulphate pentahydrate crystal

Cupric sulphate pentahydrate crystals, known as CuSO₄·5H₂O, form a bright blue triclinic crystalline solid with a polymeric structure where copper adopts octahedral coordination bound to four water ligands, interconnected by sulfate anions.​

Identity and Composition

Chemical name: Copper(II) sulfate pentahydrate.​

Molecular formula: CuSO₄·5H₂O; molecular weight 249.69 g/mol.​

Crystal system: Triclinic with unit cell dimensions a=6.12 Å, b=10.7 Å, c=5.97 Å, α=82°16′, β=107°26′, γ=102°40′; space group Pī, Z=2.​

Physical Properties

Appearance: Vivid blue transparent crystals or crystalline powder.​

Density: 2.286 g/cm³.​

Melting/decomposition: Decomposes on heating in stages (e.g., to trihydrate, monohydrate, then anhydrous); exothermically soluble in water forming [Cu(H₂O)₆]²⁺ aquo complex.​

Typical Uses

Commonly used in laboratory reagents, electroplating baths, educational demonstrations (e.g., hydration/dehydration), agriculture (fungicide), and crystal growth studies influenced by cooling rates or additives like NaCl for morphology control.​

For catalog purposes: “Cupric sulphate pentahydrate crystals, CuSO₄·5H₂O, bright blue triclinic crystals, density 2.286 g/cm³, water-soluble, for lab reagents and demos; efflorescent.”​