Copper sulphate is the most important copper salt

Copper belongs to the group of seven metals that are known to man since ancient times. Today, not only copper, but also its compounds are widely used in various industries, agriculture, life and medicine.

The most important copper salt is copper sulphate. The formula of this substance is CuSO4. It is a strong electrolyte and is a white, fine crystal, readily soluble in water, without taste and odor. The substance is non-flammable and fire-safe, when used it completely eliminates the possibility of spontaneous combustion. Copper sulphate, when exposed to even the smallest amount of moisture from the air, acquires a characteristic blue color with a bright blue color. In this case, copper sulfate is converted into blue CuSO4 · 5H2O pentahydrate, known as copper sulfate.

In industry, copper sulfate can be obtained in several ways. One of them, the most common, is the dissolution of copper waste in dilute hydrochloric acid. Under laboratory conditions, copper sulfate is obtained by the reaction of neutralizing copper hydroxide with sulfuric acid. The process formula is as follows: Cu (OH) 2 + H2SO4 → CuSO4 + H2O.

The property of copper sulphate change color is used to detect the presence of moisture in organic liquids. With its help in the laboratory, dehydration of ethanol and other substances is carried out.

Widely used in agriculture is copper sulfate or copper sulfate in a different way. Its application, first of all, consists in using a weak solution for spraying plants and dressing cereals before sowing to destroy harmful fungal spores. Based on copper sulfate, all known Bordeaux liquids and lime milk are sold, which are sold through outlets and designed to treat plants from fungal diseases and the destruction of grape aphids.

Copper sulphate is often used in construction. Its application in this area is to neutralize leaks, eliminate rusty spots. Also, the substance is used to remove salts from brick, concrete or stuccoed surfaces. In addition, they treat wood as an antiseptic to avoid rotting processes.

In official medicine, copper sulfate is a medicinal product. He is appointed by the doctor for external use as eye drops, solutions for washing and douching, and also for the treatment of burns obtained by phosphorus. As an internal remedy, it is used to irritate the stomach to induce vomiting if necessary.

In addition, mineral paints are made from copper sulfate, it is used in spinning solutions for the production of acetate fiber.

In the food industry, copper sulfate is registered as food additive E519, used as a color fixer and preservative.

When selling copper sulfate in the retail network, it is labeled as a highly hazardous substance. When ingested in the human digestive system in an amount of 8 to 30 grams, it can lead to death. Therefore, when using copper sulfate in everyday life, one should be very careful. In case of contact with skin or eyes, rinse thoroughly with cool water. If you get into the stomach, you need to rinse with a weak solution of potassium permanganate, drink a salt laxative and a diuretic.

When working with copper sulfate in home use rubber gloves and other protective equipment, including a respirator. Do not use food to prepare solutions. After finishing the work, you should definitely wash your hands and face, and rinse your mouth.