Substance profile
Copper sulfate
Copper sulfate is grayish-white to greenish-white rhombic crystals or amorphous powder with a pleasant odor.
01 · Identification
What Copper sulfate is
Copper sulfate is grayish-white to greenish-white rhombic crystals or amorphous powder with a pleasant odor. Its molecular formula is CuO4S and its molecular weight is 159.61 g/mol. It boils at 650 °C, melts at 590 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Warning.
Other names for Copper sulfate
- bluestone
- blue vitriol
- CuSO4
- Blue Copper
- Blue Stone
- Copper Monosulfate
- Copper Sulfate (1:1)
- Copper Sulfate (Cuso4)
- Copper Sulfate Pentahydrate
- Copper(2+) Sulfate
- Copper(2+) Sulfate (1:1)
- Copper(Ii) Sulfate
- Cupric Sulfate
- Cupric Sulfate Anhydrous
- Cupric Sulphate
- copper sulphate
02 · GHS classification
Hazards and label elements
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H302 | Harmful if swallowed. |
| H315 | Causes skin irritation. |
| H319 | Causes serious eye irritation. |
| H400 | Very toxic to aquatic life. |
| H410 | Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects. |
Precautionary statements: P264, P270, P273, P280, P301, P302, P305, P312, P313, P330, P332, P337, P338, P352, P391, P501
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Copper sulfate properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 650 °C (1202 °F) | decomp to cupric oxide | HSDB |
| 650 °C (1202 °F) | DrugBank | ||
| Melting point | 590 °C (1094 °F) | HSDB | |
| Density | 3.6 g/cm³ | HSDB | |
| 3.6 g/cm³ | at 25 °C | DOE PAC | |
| Solubility | Solubility in water, g/l at 20 °C: 203 (freely soluble) | at 20 °C | ICSC |
| 1.04 g/100 cc methanol @ 18 °C | at 18 °C | HSDB | |
| Autoignition temperature | Not flammable (USCG, 1999) | CAMEO |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Source notes
Further notes on Copper sulfate
These are descriptions rather than measured values, so they are kept out of the table above and quoted here with the source that reported them.
Solubility
Soluble in methanol (1.1 g/100 ml), but insoluble in ethanol; it readily dissolves in aqueous ammonia and excess alkali metal cyanides, with the formation of complexes
Source: HSDB
05 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Copper sulfate
Storage conditions
KEEP TIGHTLY CLOSED.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
Anhydrous copper sulfate causes hydroxylamine to ignite & the hydrated salt is vigorously reduced.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
Anhydrous CUPRIC SULFATE serves as a weak oxidizing agent. Causes hydroxylamine to ignite. Gains water readily. The hydrated salt is vigorously reduced by hydroxylamine [Mellor 8:292(1946-1947)]. Both forms are incompatible with finely powdered metals. Both are incompatible with magnesium, corrode steel and iron, may react with alkalis, phosphates, acetylene gas, hydrazine, or nitromethane, and may react with beta-naphthol, propylene glycol, sulphathiazole and triethanolamine if the pH exceeds 7 (NTP, 1992). Both act as acidic salts, corrode metals and irritate tissues.
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Copper sulfate in the storage compatibility matrix →
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