Name: China Supplier High Quality Best Price Ferrous Sulphate CAS 7720-78-7
Brand: Wuhan Fortuna Chemical Co., Ltd.

What is Ferrous Sulfate?

Ferrous sulfate, with the chemical formula FeSO₄, is an inorganic salt of iron in its +2 oxidation state (Iron(II) sulfate). It is one of the most common and important sources of iron. It is typically encountered as the heptahydrate (FeSO₄·7H₂O), which forms blue-green crystals. In its pure, anhydrous form, it is a white powder, but it oxidizes and hydrates readily in air, turning tan then yellow-brown.

Key Properties

Solubility: It is highly soluble in water.
Oxidation: The iron(II) (ferrous) ion is easily oxidized to iron(III) (ferric) ion in the presence of air and moisture. This is why crystals and solutions gradually take on a yellowish or rusty brown color.
Acidity: Its aqueous solutions are acidic due to hydrolysis.
Molar Mass: 278.02 g/mol (heptahydrate)

Primary Applications and Uses

The utility of ferrous sulfate stems from its ability to provide bioavailable iron and its reducing/coagulating chemical properties.

1. Medical and Nutritional Use (Most Common Use)

This is the application most familiar to the general public.

Iron Supplement: It is the primary and most cost-effective iron supplement used to treat and prevent iron-deficiency anemia. It is available in tablet, capsule, and liquid forms.
Mechanism: The ferrous iron (Fe²⁺) is readily absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract and incorporated into hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body.

2. Agricultural and Horticultural Use

Soil Amendment and Fertilizer: It is used to correct iron chlorosis, a yellowing of plant leaves caused by iron deficiency in high-pH (alkaline) soils. It acidifies the soil and provides soluble iron that plants can uptake.
Lawn Care: It is used to green up lawns by promoting chlorophyll production.
Fungicide: It is an active ingredient in moss killers for lawns and can be used to control some fungal diseases like apple scab.

3. Water and Wastewater Treatment

Coagulant and Flocculant: In water treatment plants, it is used to remove phosphates and suspended solids. It helps tiny particles clump together (flocculation) so they can be more easily filtered out.
Reducing Agent: It can reduce toxic chromium(VI) to less harmful chromium(III).

4. Industrial and Chemical Uses

Precursor to Other Iron Compounds: It is a key starting material for manufacturing other iron compounds, most notably ferric sulfate (by oxidation) and ferric oxide (rust) pigments.
Mordant: In the textile industry, it is used as a mordant—a substance that fixes dyes to fabrics—particularly for wool. It is historically famous for producing black dyes when used with tannins.
Wood Stain: It reacts with tannins in wood (like oak) to create a silvery-grey to black weathered appearance, often used for ebonizing.
Historical Use: It was a component of iron gall ink, the standard writing ink in Europe for over a millennium.

Safety and Handling

For Humans (Supplementation): Must be taken as directed by a physician. Common side effects include gastrointestinal upset, constipation, and nausea. Accidental overdose, especially in children, is extremely dangerous and can be fatal. As little as 1-2 grams can cause serious poisoning in a small child.
For Humans (Industrial Handling): May cause irritation to the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract. Dust should not be inhaled.
Environmental: While iron is a natural element, high concentrations in water bodies can be detrimental to aquatic life.

Summary

In essence, ferrous sulfate is a versatile workhorse chemical. Its most critical role is in global health as a weapon against anemia, providing an essential nutrient in an easily absorbed form. Beyond medicine, it is indispensable in agriculture for nurturing plant life, in water treatment for purifying our water supply, and in industry as a foundational material for countless processes and products. Its simple chemistry belies its profound impact on health, food production, and industry.