The key difference between zinc sulphate monohydrate and heptahydrate is that zinc sulphate monohydrate has one zinc metal cation and one sulphate anion in association with one water molecule of crystallization whereas zinc sulphate heptahydrate has one zinc metal cation and one sulphate anion in association with seven water molecules of crystallization.
Zinc sulphate or zinc sulphate (different spelling but same substance) is an inorganic substance containing a zinc metal cation and a sulfate anion in its chemical structure. It is a salt of zinc metal. This substance is useful as a dietary supplement for the treatment of zinc deficiency in order to prevent any condition that is at high risk. Moreover, the sulphate molecules having water of crystallization is the most common form of zinc sulphate. There can be different hydrated forms of this substance, but heptahydrate form is the most common among them. Furthermore, zinc sulphate and its hydrate forms are all colorless crystal forms.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Zinc Sulphate Monohydrate
3. What is Zinc Sulphate Heptahydrate
4. Similarities Between Zinc Sulphate Monohydrate and Heptahydrate
5. Zinc Sulphate Monohydrate vs Heptahydrate in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Zinc Sulphate Monohydrate vs Heptahydrate
What is Zinc Sulphate Monohydrate?
Zinc sulphate monohydrate is a hydrated form of zinc sulphate where there is one water molecule for crystallization. The chemical formula for this compound is ZnSO4.H2O while the molar mass of this substance is 179.45 g/mol. It appears as a colorless crystal but is commercially available as either a beige-white color powder or as granules. This substance is moderately water-soluble and also soluble in acids. Zinc sulphate monohydrate is a less common hydrate form of zinc sulphate; thus, most of the times, zinc sulphate heptahydrate is used where zinc sulphate is required because it is the most common form of zinc sulphate.
What is Zinc Sulphate Heptahydrate?
Zinc sulphate heptahydrate is a hydrated form of zinc sulphate where there are seven molecules for crystallization. The chemical for this compound is ZnSO4.7H2O, while the molar mass of this compound is 287.54 g/mol. This hydrated form of zinc sulphate is the most common form among other hydrates of zinc sulphate. Historically, this substance was named “white vitriol.” It appears as colorless crystals. However, it is commercially available in white crystalline powder form.
When considering the applications of zinc sulphate heptahydrate, it is useful as a coagulant in the production of rayon. Moreover, this substance is important as a precursor for pigment lithopone. In addition, we can use it in leather and medicine as an astringent and emetic, as a laboratory reagent, as a dietary supplement for animal feed, as a component in fertilizers, and agricultural sprays, etc.
What are the Similarities Between Zinc Sulphate Monohydrate and Heptahydrate?
- Zinc sulphate monohydrate and heptahydrate are inorganic compounds.
- Both are salts of zinc metal.
- Both are hydrated forms.
- These substances appear as colorless crystals.
What is the Difference Between Zinc Sulphate Monohydrate and Heptahydrate?
Zinc sulphate monohydrate and heptahydrate are hydrated forms of zinc sulphate, and it’s the number of water molecules of crystallization that make them distinct from each other. The key difference between zinc sulphate monohydrate and heptahydrate is that zinc sulphate monohydrate has one zinc metal cation and one sulphate anion in association with one water molecule of crystallization whereas zinc sulphate heptahydrate has one zinc metal cation and a sulphate anion in association with seven water molecules of crystallization.
The following table summarizes the difference between zinc sulphate monohydrate and heptahydrate.
Summary – Zinc Sulphate Monohydrate vs Heptahydrate
There can be different hydrated forms of zinc sulphate, and heptahydrate form is the most common among them. The key difference between zinc sulphate monohydrate and heptahydrate is that zinc sulphate monohydrate has one zinc metal cation and one sulphate anion in association with one water molecule of crystallization whereas zinc sulphate heptahydrate has one zinc metal cation and one sulphate anion in association with seven water molecules of crystallization.
Reference:
1. Praveen Aggarwal, “Zinc Sulphate Heptahydrate.” Avachemicals.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Zinc Sulfate” By Minerallad at English Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia