Iron(II) sulfate

Iron(II) sulfate (British English: iron(II) sulphate) or

ferrous sulfate denotes a range of salts with the formula
Iron(II) sulfate
FeSO4 ·xH2 O. These compounds exist most commonly as
the heptahydrate (x  =  7) but several values for x are
known. The hydrated form is used medically to treat iron
deficiency, and also for industrial applications. Known
since ancient times as copperas and as green vitriol
(vitriol is an archaic name for sulfate), the blue-green
heptahydrate (hydrate with 7 molecules of water) is the
most common form of this material. All the iron(II) sulfates Iron(II) sulfate when dissolved in water
dissolve in water to give the same aquo complex
[Fe(H2 O)6 ]2+, which has octahedral molecular geometry
and is paramagnetic. The name copperas dates from times
when the copper(II) sulfate was known as blue copperas,
and perhaps in analogy, iron(II) and zinc sulfate were
known respectively as green and white copperas.[15]

It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential

Medicines.[16] In 2019, it was the 103rd most commonly
prescribed medication in the United States, with more than
6 million prescriptions.[17][18]

Contents
Uses
Medical use
Plant growth
Pigment and craft
Historical uses Names

Hydrates IUPAC name

Iron(II) sulfate
Production and reactions
Reactions Other names
Iron(II) sulphate; Ferrous sulfate, Green
See also
vitriol, Iron vitriol, Copperas,
References Melanterite, Szomolnokite
External links Identifiers
CAS Number anhydrous: 7720-78-7
Uses (https://commonchemis
try.cas.org/detail?cas_r
Industrially, ferrous sulfate is mainly used as a precursor to n=7720-78-7) 
other iron compounds. It is a reducing agent, and as such is
useful for the reduction of chromate in cement to less toxic
Cr(III) compounds. Historically ferrous sulfate was used in monohydrate: 17375-
the textile industry for centuries as a dye fixative. It is used 41-6 (https://commonc
historically to blacken leather and as a constituent of iron hemistry.cas.org/detail?
gall ink.[19] The preparation of sulfuric acid ('oil of vitriol') cas_rn=17375-41-6) 
by the distillation of green vitriol (Iron(II) sulfate) has been
known for at least 700 years. dihydrate: 10028-21-4
(https://commonchemis
try.cas.org/detail?cas_r
Medical use n=10028-21-4) 
heptahydrate: 7782-63-
Plant growth 0 (https://commonchem
istry.cas.org/detail?cas
Iron(II) sulfate is sold as ferrous sulfate, a soil _rn=7782-63-0) 
amendment[20] for lowering the pH of a high alkaline soil 3D model (JSmol) anhydrous: Interactive
so that plants can access the soil's nutrients.[21]
image (https://chemapp
In horticulture it is used for treating iron chlorosis.[22] s.stolaf.edu/jmol/jmol.p
Although not as rapid-acting as ferric EDTA, its effects are hp?model=%5BO-%5D
longer-lasting. It can be mixed with compost and dug into S%28%3DO%29%28%
the soil to create a store which can last for years.[23] It is 3DO%29%5BO-%5D.%
also used as a lawn conditioner,[23] and moss killer. 5BFe%2B2%5D)

ChEBI anhydrous:
Pigment and craft CHEBI:75832 (https://w
ww.ebi.ac.uk/chebi/sear
Ferrous sulfate can be used to stain concrete and some chId.do?chebiId=7583
limestones and sandstones a yellowish rust color.[24] 2) 

Woodworkers use ferrous sulfate solutions to color maple ChEMBL anhydrous:

wood a silvery hue. ChEMBL1200830 (http
s://www.ebi.ac.uk/chem
Green vitriol is also a useful reagent in the identification of bldb/index.php/compou
mushrooms.[25] nd/inspect/ChEMBL120
0830) 
Historical uses ChemSpider anhydrous: 22804 (http
s://www.chemspider.co
Ferrous sulfate was used in the manufacture of inks, most
m/Chemical-Structure.2
notably iron gall ink, which was used from the middle ages
2804.html) 
until the end of the 18th century. Chemical tests made on
the Lachish letters (c. 588–586 BCE) showed the possible monohydrate: 56459 (h
presence of iron.[26] It is thought that oak galls and ttps://www.chemspider.
copperas may have been used in making the ink on those com/Chemical-Structur
letters.[27] It also finds use in wool dyeing as a mordant. e.56459.html) 
Harewood, a material used in marquetry and parquetry heptahydrate: 22804 (h
since the 17th century, is also made using ferrous sulfate. ttps://www.chemspider.
Two different methods for the direct application of indigo com/Chemical-Structur
dye were developed in England in the 18th century and e.22804.html) 
remained in use well into the 19th century. One of these, ECHA InfoCard 100.028.867 (https://ec
known as china blue, involved iron(II) sulfate. After ha.europa.eu/substanc
printing an insoluble form of indigo onto the fabric, the
indigo was reduced to leuco-indigo in a sequence of baths e-information/-/substan
of ferrous sulfate (with reoxidation to indigo in air between ceinfo/100.028.867)
immersions). The china blue process could make sharp
EC Number anhydrous: 231-753-5
designs, but it could not produce the dark hues of other
methods. PubChem CID anhydrous: 24393 (http
s://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.ni
In the second half of the 1850s ferrous sulfate was used as
h.gov/compound/2439
a photographic developer for collodion process images.[28]
3)
monohydrate: 62712 (h
Hydrates ttps://pubchem.ncbi.nl
m.nih.gov/compound/6
Iron(II) sulfate can be found in various states of hydration,
2712)
and several of these forms exist in nature.
heptahydrate: 62662 (h
FeSO4·H2O (mineral: szomolnokite,[7] relatively ttps://pubchem.ncbi.nl
rare) m.nih.gov/compound/6
FeSO4·4H2O (mineral: rozenite,[8][29] white, 2662)
relatively common, may be dehydratation product RTECS number anhydrous:
of melanterite)
NO8500000
FeSO4·5H2O (mineral: siderotil,[1][30] relatively (anhydrous)
rare) NO8510000
FeSO4·6H2O (mineral: ferrohexahydrite,[2][31] (heptahydrate)
relatively rare)
UNII anhydrous:
FeSO4·7H2O (mineral: melanterite,[9][32] blue-
2IDP3X9OUD (https://f
green, relatively common)
dasis.nlm.nih.gov/srs/sr
sdirect.jsp?regno=2IDP
3X9OUD) 
monohydrate:
RIB00980VW (https://fd
Anhydrous iron(II) sulfate asis.nlm.nih.gov/srs/srs
direct.jsp?regno=RIB00
The tetrahydrate is stabilized when the temperature of 980VW) 
aqueous solutions reaches 56.6 °C (133.9 °F). At 64.8 °C dihydrate:
(148.6  °F) these solutions form both the tetrahydrate and G0Z5449449 (https://fd
monohydrate.[4] asis.nlm.nih.gov/srs/srs
direct.jsp?regno=G0Z5
Mineral forms are found in oxidation zones of iron-bearing
449449) 
ore beds, e.g. pyrite, marcasite, chalcopyrite, etc. They are
also found in related environments, like coal fire sites. heptahydrate:
Many rapidly dehydrate and sometimes oxidize. Numerous 39R4TAN1VT (https://f
other, more complex (either basic, hydrated, and/or dasis.nlm.nih.gov/srs/sr
containing additional cations) Fe(II)-bearing sulfates exist sdirect.jsp?regno=39R
in such environments, with copiapite being a common 4TAN1VT) 
example.[33]
UN number 3077
CompTox
Production and reactions Dashboard (EPA)
anhydrous:
DTXSID0029688 (http
s://comptox.epa.gov/da
In the finishing of steel prior to plating or coating, the steel shboard/chemical/detail
sheet or rod is passed through pickling baths of sulfuric s/DTXSID0029688)
acid. This treatment produces large quantities of iron(II)
InChI
sulfate as a by-product.[34]
InChI=1S/Fe.H2O4S/c;1-5(2,3)4/h;(H2,1,2,
Fe + H2SO4 → FeSO4 + H2 3,4)/q+2;/p-2  
Key: BAUYGSIQEAFULO-UHFFFAOYSA-L  
Another source of large amounts results from the
production of titanium dioxide from ilmenite via the sulfate anhydrous: InChI=1/Fe.H2O4S/c;1-5(2,3)4/
process. h;(H2,1,2,3,4)/q+2;/p-2
Key: BAUYGSIQEAFULO-NUQVWONBAS
Ferrous sulfate is also prepared commercially by oxidation
of pyrite:[35] SMILES
anhydrous: [O-]S(=O)(=O)[O-].[Fe+2]
2 FeS2 + 7 O2 + 2 H2O → 2 FeSO4 + 2 H2SO4
Properties
It can be produced by displacement of metals less reactive Chemical formula FeSO4
than Iron from solutions of their sulfate:
CuSO4 + Fe → Molar mass 151.91 g/mol
FeSO4 + Cu (anhydrous)
169.93 g/mol
Reactions (monohydrate)
241.99 g/mol
Upon dissolving in water, ferrous sulfates form the metal (pentahydrate)
aquo complex [Fe(H2 O)6 ]2+, which is an almost colorless, 260.00 g/mol
paramagnetic ion. (hexahydrate)
278.02 g/mol
On heating, iron(II) sulfate first loses its water of (heptahydrate)
crystallization and the original green crystals are converted
Appearance White crystals
into a white anhydrous solid. When further heated, the
anhydrous material releases sulfur dioxide, leaving a (anhydrous)
reddish-brown iron(III) oxide. Decomposition of iron(II) White-yellow crystals
sulfate begins at about 680 °C (1,256 °F). (monohydrate)
Blue-green crystals
2 FeSO4 → Fe2O3 + 2 SO2 + O2 (heptahydrate)

Like other iron(II) salts, iron(II) sulfate is a reducing agent. Odor Odorless
For example, it reduces nitric acid to nitrogen monoxide Density 3.65 g/cm3 (anhydrous)
and chlorine to chloride: 3 g/cm3 (monohydrate)
2.15 g/cm3
6 FeSO4 + 3 H2SO4 + 2 HNO3 → 3 Fe2(SO4)3
(pentahydrate)[1]
+ 4 H2O + 2 NO
1.934 g/cm3
6 FeSO4 + 3 Cl2 → 2 Fe2(SO4)3 + 2 FeCl3
(hexahydrate)[2]
Its mild reducing power is of value in organic 1.895 g/cm3
synthesis.[36] It is used as the iron catalyst component of (heptahydrate)[3]
Fenton's reagent. Melting point 680 °C (1,256 °F;
953 K)
See also (anhydrous)
decomposes[5]
Iron(III) sulfate (ferric sulfate), the other common 300 °C (572 °F; 573 K)
simple sulfate of iron. (monohydrate)
 Copper(II) sulfate decomposes
Ammonium 60–64 °C (140–147 °F;
iron(II) sulfate, 333–337 K)
also known as (heptahydrate)
Mohr's salt, the decomposes[3][10]
common double
salt of Solubility in water Monohydrate:
ammonium 44.69 g/100 mL (77 °C)
sulfate with 35.97 g/100 mL (90.1
iron(II) sulfate. °C)
Iron(II) sulfate outside a titanium
dioxide factory in Kaanaa, Pori,
Chalcanthum Heptahydrate:
Finland. Ephraim Seehl 15.65 g/100 mL (0 °C)
known as an 20.5 g/100 mL (10 °C)
early
29.51 g/100 mL (25 °C)
manufacturer of green vitriol.[37]
39.89 g/100 mL (40.1
°C)
References 51.35 g/100 mL (54
1. "Siderotil Mineral Data" (http://www.webmineral.c °C)[4]
om/data/Siderotil.shtml). Retrieved 2014-08-03. Solubility Negligible in alcohol
2. "Ferrohexahydrite Mineral Data" (http://www.web Solubility in 6.4 g/100 g (20 °C)[5]
mineral.com/data/Ferrohexahydrite.shtml). ethylene glycol
Retrieved 2014-08-03.
Vapor pressure 1.95 kPa
3. Lide, David R., ed. (2009). CRC Handbook of
Chemistry and Physics (90th ed.). Boca Raton, (heptahydrate)[6]
Florida: CRC Press. ISBN 978-1-4200-9084-0. Magnetic 1.24 × 10−2 cm3/mol
4. Seidell, Atherton; Linke, William F. (1919). susceptibility (χ) (anhydrous)
Solubilities of Inorganic and Organic 1.05 × 10−2 cm3/mol
Compounds (https://archive.org/details/solubilitie (monohydrate)
sino01seidgoog) (2nd ed.). New York: D. Van 1.12 × 10−2 cm3/mol
Nostrand Company. p. 343 (https://archive.org/de
(heptahydrate)[3]
tails/solubilitiesino01seidgoog/page/n368).
+10 200 × 10−6 cm3/mol
5. Anatolievich, Kiper Ruslan. "iron(II) sulfate" (htt
p://chemister.ru/Database/properties-en.php?dbi Refractive index 1.591 (monohydrate)[7]
d=1&id=4387). Retrieved 2014-08-03. (nD) 1.526–1.528 (21 °C,
6. Sigma-Aldrich Co., Iron(II) sulfate heptahydrate tetrahydrate)[8]
(http://www.sigmaaldrich.com/catalog/product/sig 1.513–1.515
ma/f8263). Retrieved on 2014-08-03. (pentahydrate)[1]
7. Ralph, Jolyon; Chautitle, Ida. "Szomolnokite" (htt 1.468 (hexahydrate)[2]
p://www.mindat.org/min-3859.html). Mindat.org. 1.471 (heptahydrate)[9]
Retrieved 2014-08-03.
Structure
8. "Rozenite Mineral Data" (http://www.webmineral.
com/data/Rozenite.shtml). Retrieved 2014-08-03. Crystal structure Orthorhombic, oP24
9. "Melanterite Mineral Data" (http://www.webminer (anhydrous)[11]
al.com/data/Melanterite.shtml). Retrieved Monoclinic, mS36
2014-08-03. (monohydrate)[7]
10. "MSDS of Ferrous sulfate heptahydrate" (https:// Monoclinic, mP72
www.fishersci.ca/viewmsds.do?catNo=I1463). (tetrahydrate)[8]
Fair Lawn, New Jersey: Fisher Scientific, Inc. Triclinic, aP42
Retrieved 2014-08-03. (pentahydrate)[1]
11. Weil, Matthias (2007). "The High-temperature β Monoclinic, mS192
Modification of Iron(II) Sulfate" (http://www.crystal (hexahydrate)[2]
lography.net/2216658.html). Acta Monoclinic, mP108
Crystallographica Section E. International Union (heptahydrate)[3][9]
of Crystallography. 63 (12): i192.
doi:10.1107/S160053680705475X (https://doi.or Space group Pnma, No. 62
g/10.1107%2FS160053680705475X). Retrieved (anhydrous) [11]
2014-08-03. C2/c, No. 15
12. Anatolievich, Kiper Ruslan. "iron(II) sulfate (monohydrate,
heptahydrate" (http://chemister.ru/Database/prop hexahydrate)[2][7]
erties-en.php?dbid=1&id=459). Retrieved P21/n, No. 14
2014-08-03. (tetrahydrate)[8]
13. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. P1, No. 2
"#0346" (https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/npgd034 (pentahydrate)[1]
6.html). National Institute for Occupational Safety
P21/c, No. 14
and Health (NIOSH).
(heptahydrate)[9]
14. beta-
Point group 2/m 2/m 2/m
static.fishersci.com/content/dam/fishersci/en_US/documents/programs/education/regulatory-
documents/sds/chemicals/chemicals- (anhydrous)[11]
f/S25325A.pdf 2/m (monohydrate,
15. Brown, Lesley (1993). The New shorter Oxford tetrahydrate,
English dictionary on historical principles (https:// hexahydrate,
archive.org/details/newshorteroxford00lesl). heptahydrate)[2][7][8][9]
Oxford [Eng.]: Clarendon. ISBN 0-19-861271-0. 1 (pentahydrate)[1]
16. World Health Organization (2019). World Health
Organization model list of essential medicines: Lattice constant a = 8.704(2) Å,
21st list 2019. Geneva: World Health b = 6.801(3) Å,
Organization. hdl:10665/325771 (https://hdl.hand c = 4.786(8) Å (293 K,
le.net/10665%2F325771). anhydrous)[11]
WHO/MVP/EMP/IAU/2019.06. License: CC BY- α = 90°, β = 90°,
NC-SA 3.0 IGO. γ = 90°
17. "The Top 300 of 2019" (https://clincalc.com/Drug
Coordination Octahedral (Fe2+)
Stats/Top300Drugs.aspx). ClinCalc. Retrieved geometry
16 October 2021.
Thermochemistry
18. "Ferrous Sulfate - Drug Usage Statistics" (https://
clincalc.com/DrugStats/Drugs/FerrousSulfate). Heat capacity (C) 100.6 J/mol·K
ClinCalc. Retrieved 16 October 2021. (anhydrous)[3]
19. British Archaeology magazine. 394.5 J/mol·K
http://www.archaeologyuk.org/ba/ba66/feat2.shtml (heptahydrate)[12]
(archive (https://web.archive.org/web/201410172 Std molar
107.5 J/mol·K
34401/http://www.archaeologyuk.org/ba/ba66/fea
entropy (S o298) (anhydrous)[3]
t2.shtml))
409.1 J/mol·K
20. "Why Use Ferrous Sulfate for Lawns?" (http://ho
meguides.sfgate.com/use-ferrous-sulfate-lawns- (heptahydrate)[12]
83484.html). Retrieved 2018-04-14. Std enthalpy of −928.4 kJ/mol
21. "Acid or alkaline soil: Modifying pH - Sunset formation (anhydrous)[3]
⦵
(Δ f H 298)
Magazine" (https://www.sunset.com/garden/gard −3016 kJ/mol
en-basics/acid-alkaline-soil-modifying-ph). (heptahydrate)[12]
www.sunset.com. 3 September 2004. Retrieved
Gibbs free energy −820.8 kJ/mol
2018-04-14. (Δ G˚) [3]
f (anhydrous)
22. Koenig, Rich and Kuhns, Mike: Control of Iron −2512 kJ/mol
Chlorosis in Ornamental and Crop Plants. (Utah (heptahydrate)[12]
State University, Salt Lake City, August 1996) p.3
Pharmacology
(http://extension.usu.edu/files/publications/public
ation/AG-SO-01.pdf) ATC code B03AA07 (WHO (http
23. Handreck, Kevin (2002). Gardening Down s://www.whocc.no/atc_
Under: A Guide to Healthier Soils and Plants ddd_index/?code=B03
(2nd ed.). Collingwood, Victoria: CSIRO AA07))
Publishing. pp. 146–47. ISBN 0-643-06677-2.
Hazards
24. How To Stain Concrete with Iron Sulfate (http://w
ww.stainedfloor.com/Iron_Recipes.html) GHS labelling:

25. Svrček, Mirko (1975). A color guide to familiar Pictograms

[6]
mushrooms (https://archive.org/details/colourguid
etofam00svrc/page/30) (2nd ed.). London:
Octopus Books. p. 30 (https://archive.org/details/ Signal word Warning
colourguidetofam00svrc/page/30). ISBN 0-7064- Hazard H302, H315, H319[6]
0448-3. statements
26. Torczyner, Lachish Letters, pp. 188–95 Precautionary P305+P351+P338[6]
27. Hyatt, The Interpreter's Bible, 1951, volume V, p. statements
1067 NFPA 704 [14]
28. Brothers, Alfred (1892). Photography: its history, (fire diamond) 0
processes (https://archive.org/details/b2488685 1 0
3). London: Griffin. p. 257 (https://archive.org/deta
ils/b24886853/page/257). OCLC 558063884 (htt
ps://www.worldcat.org/oclc/558063884). Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC):
29. "Rozenite" (https://www.mindat.org/min-3469.htm LD50 (median 237 mg/kg (rat, oral)[10]
l). dose)
30. "Siderotil" (https://www.mindat.org/min-3643.htm NIOSH (US health exposure limits):
l). REL TWA 1 mg/m3[13]
31. "Ferrohexahydrite" (https://www.mindat.org/min-1 (Recommended)
517.html). Related compounds
32. "Melanterite" (https://www.mindat.org/min-2633.h
tml). Other cations Cobalt(II) sulfate
Copper(II) sulfate
33. "Copiapite" (https://www.mindat.org/min-1124.ht
ml). Manganese(II) sulfate
Nickel(II) sulfate
34. Wildermuth, Egon; Stark, Hans; Friedrich,
Gabriele; Ebenhöch, Franz Ludwig; Kühborth, Related Iron(III) sulfate
Brigitte; Silver, Jack; Rituper, Rafael. "Iron compounds
Compounds". Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Except where otherwise noted, data are
Industrial Chemistry. Weinheim: Wiley-VCH. given for materials in their standard state
35. Lowson, Richard T. (1982). "Aqueous oxidation (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
of pyrite by molecular oxygen". Chem. Rev. 82  verify (what is   ?)
(5): 461–497. doi:10.1021/cr00051a001 (https://d
oi.org/10.1021%2Fcr00051a001). Infobox references

36. Lee Irvin Smith; J. W. Opie (1948). "o-

Aminobenzaldehyde". Org. Synth. 28: 11.
doi:10.15227/orgsyn.028.0011 (https://doi.org/10.
15227%2Forgsyn.028.0011).
37. Pryce, William (1778). Mineralogia Cornubiensis;
a Treatise on Minerals, Mines and Mining (https://
archive.org/details/b30449170). London: Phillips.
p. 33 (https://archive.org/details/b30449170/pag
e/33).

External links
"Ferrous sulfate" (https://druginfo.nlm.nih.gov/drugportal/rn/7720-78-7). Drug Information
Portal. U.S. National Library of Medicine.

"Product Information" (http://www.chemicalland21.com/industrialchem/inorganic/FERROU

S%20SULFATE%20HEPTAHYDRATE.htm). Chemical Land21. January 10, 2007.
Hunt, T. Sterry (1879). "Copperas"  (https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_American_Cyclop%C
3%A6dia_(1879)/Copperas). The American Cyclopædia.

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