Question

In solid $CuS{O}_4.5H_{2}O$ , copper is coordinated to

• A. five water molecules
• B. four water molecules
• C. one sulphate anion
• D. one water molecule

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

$CuS{O}_4.5H_{2}O$ is a crystalline salt. Four $H_{2}O$ molecules attach to copper, forming a square planar symmetry and two oxygen atoms from $S{O}_4^{2-}$ ion complete the distorted octahedron. The fifth water molecule is attached through hydrogen bonding between one of the coordinated water molecule and one of the sulphate ion.