Cadmium sulfate

Cadmium sulfate is the name of a series of related inorganic compounds with the formula CdSO₄·Template:MvarH₂O. The most common form is the monohydrate CdSO₄·H₂O, but two other forms are known CdSO₄·Template:FracH₂O and the anhydrous salt (CdSO₄). All salts are colourless and highly soluble in water.

Structure, preparation, and occurrence

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Portion of structure of CdSO4 illustrating the distorted tetrahedral geometry at Cd (dark blue spheres).<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

X-ray crystallography shows that CdSO₄·H₂O is a typical coordination polymer. Each Cd²⁺ center has octahedral coordination geometry, being surrounded by four oxygen centers provided by four sulfate ligands and two oxygen centers from the bridging water ligands.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

Cadmium sulfate hydrate can be prepared by the reaction of cadmium metal or its oxide or hydroxide with dilute sulfuric acid:

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The anhydrous material can be prepared using sodium persulfate:Template:Cn

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Cadmium sulfates occur as the following rare minerals drobecite (CdSO₄·4H₂O), voudourisite (monohydrate), and lazaridisite (the 8/3-hydrate).

Applications

Cadmium sulfate is used widely for the electroplating of cadmium in electronic circuits. It is also a precursor to cadmium-based pigment such as cadmium sulfide. It is also used for electrolyte in a Weston standard cell as well as a pigment in fluorescent screens.

References

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