Copper sulfate pentahydrate, also known as copper(II) sulfate pentahydrate or simply copper sulfate, is a chemical compound with the formula CuSO4·5H2O. It is a bright blue crystalline solid that contains copper, sulfur, oxygen, and water molecules. The “pentahydrate” part of its name indicates that each copper sulfate molecule is associated with five water molecules.

Copper sulfate pentahydrate is commonly used for various purposes, including:

  1. Agricultural Applications: It is used as a fungicide and pesticide to control fungal and bacterial diseases in crops. It can also be used as a soil additive to correct copper deficiencies in plants.
  2. Electroplating: Copper sulfate is used in electroplating processes to create a thin layer of copper on objects, providing a decorative or protective coating.
  3. Laboratory Uses: It serves as a reagent in various chemical reactions and is commonly used in school laboratories for educational experiments.
  4. Animal and Livestock Supplement: Copper sulfate is sometimes added to animal feed as a mineral supplement to meet the copper requirements of livestock.
  5. Water Treatment: It can be used in water treatment processes to control algae and other organisms in ponds, reservoirs, and swimming pools.