In chemistry, water(s) of crystallization or water(s) of hydration are water molecules that are present

inside crystals. Water is often incorporated in the formation of crystals from aqueous solutions.[1] In
some contexts, water of crystallization is the total mass of water in a substance at a given temperature
and is mostly present in a definite (stoichiometric) ratio. Classically, "water of crystallization" refers to
water that is found in the crystalline framework of a metal complex or a salt, which is not directly
bonded to the metal cation.

Upon crystallization from water, or water-containing solvents, many compounds incorporate water
molecules in their crystalline frameworks. Water of crystallization can generally be removed by heating
a sample but the crystalline properties are often lost. For example, in the case of sodium chloride, the
dihydrate is unstable at room temperature.