Sulphates (SO₄²⁻ salts/esters of sulfuric acid) are classified into types like anhydrous, hydrates, minerals, and organosulfates, with common examples used in Indian chemical trade (e.g., Vadodara-Gujarat suppliers). Key categories draw from mineralogical and chemical lists, focusing on industrial relevance.
Anhydrous Sulphates
These lack water molecules, often used in labs/industry.
Barium sulphate (BaSO₄) – X-ray contrast, paints
Calcium sulphate anhydrous (CaSO₄) – Plaster base
Sodium sulphate anhydrous (Na₂SO₄) – Detergents, glass
Magnesium sulphate anhydrous (MgSO₄) – Fertilizers
Copper sulphate anhydrous (CuSO₄) – Electroplating
Zinc sulphate anhydrous (ZnSO₄) – Agriculture
Ferrous sulphate anhydrous (FeSO₄) – Water treatment
Aluminium sulphate (Al₂(SO₄)₃) – Coagulant
Hydrated Sulphates
Most common form, with crystal water (e.g., pentahydrate).
Copper sulphate pentahydrate (CuSO₄·5H₂O) – Blue vitriol, fungicide
Magnesium sulphate heptahydrate (MgSO₄·7H₂O) – Epsom salt
Zinc sulphate heptahydrate (ZnSO₄·7H₂O) – Micronutrient
Ferrous sulphate heptahydrate (FeSO₄·7H₂O) – Iron supplement
Sodium sulphate decahydrate (Na₂SO₄·10H₂O) – Mirabilite
Calcium sulphate dihydrate (CaSO₄·2H₂O) – Gypsum
Nickel sulphate hexahydrate (NiSO₄·6H₂O) – Electroplating
Cobalt sulphate heptahydrate (CoSO₄·7H₂O) – Catalysts
Manganese sulphate monohydrate (MnSO₄·H₂O) – Fertilizers
Sulphate Minerals (Key Types)
Naturally occurring, mined in India (Rajasthan/Gujarat).
Barite (BaSO₄) – Drilling muds
Celestite (SrSO₄) – Strontium source
Anhydrite (CaSO₄) – Cement
Gypsum (CaSO₄·2H₂O) – Plasterboard
Kieserite (MgSO₄·H₂O) – Potash recovery
Epsomites (MgSO₄·7H₂O) – Medicinal
Melanterite (FeSO₄·7H₂O) – Iron ore byproduct
Chalcanthite (CuSO₄·5H₂O) – Copper source
Anglesite (PbSO₄) – Lead ore
Alunite (KAl₃(SO₄)₂(OH)₆) – Potash alum
Jarosite (KFe₃(SO₄)₂(OH)₆) – Acid mine drainage
Brochantite (Cu₄(SO₄)(OH)₆) – Copper secondary mineral
Antlerite (Cu₃(SO₄)(OH)₄) – Oxidation product
Kainite (MgSO₄·KCl·3H₂O) – Potash salt
Polyhalite (K₂Ca₂Mg(SO₄)₄·2H₂O) – Fertilizer
Double/Mixed Sulphates
Contain multiple metals.
Ammonium sulphate ((NH₄)₂SO₄) – Fertilizer (21% N)
Potassium aluminium sulphate (KAl(SO₄)₂·12H₂O) – Alum
Chrome alum (KCr(SO₄)₂·12H₂O) – Tanning
Tschermigite (NH₄Al(SO₄)₂·12H₂O) – Ammonia alum
Mohr's salt (FeSO₄·(NH₄)₂SO₄·6H₂O) – Analytical reagent
Organosulfates & Esters
Organic derivatives, less common in bulk trade.
Lauryl sulfate (SLS) – Detergents
Sodium dodecyl sulfate – Surfactant
Chondroitin sulfate – Biomedical
Heparin sulfate – Anticoagulant
Industry Segments in India
Type Common Use Vadodara-Gujarat Suppliers
Ferrous/Zinc Sulphate Fertilizers Ankleshwar GIDC bulk
Copper Sulphate Agri/Pesticides Vapi exporters
Aluminium Sulphate Water Treatment Surat wholesalers
Barium Sulphate Paints/Drilling Dahej port
Ammonium Sulphate N-Fertilizer Ahmedabad factories
Anhydrous Sulphates
These lack water molecules, often used in labs/industry.
Barium sulphate (BaSO₄) – X-ray contrast, paints
Calcium sulphate anhydrous (CaSO₄) – Plaster base
Sodium sulphate anhydrous (Na₂SO₄) – Detergents, glass
Magnesium sulphate anhydrous (MgSO₄) – Fertilizers
Copper sulphate anhydrous (CuSO₄) – Electroplating
Zinc sulphate anhydrous (ZnSO₄) – Agriculture
Ferrous sulphate anhydrous (FeSO₄) – Water treatment
Aluminium sulphate (Al₂(SO₄)₃) – Coagulant
Hydrated Sulphates
Most common form, with crystal water (e.g., pentahydrate).
Copper sulphate pentahydrate (CuSO₄·5H₂O) – Blue vitriol, fungicide
Magnesium sulphate heptahydrate (MgSO₄·7H₂O) – Epsom salt
Zinc sulphate heptahydrate (ZnSO₄·7H₂O) – Micronutrient
Ferrous sulphate heptahydrate (FeSO₄·7H₂O) – Iron supplement
Sodium sulphate decahydrate (Na₂SO₄·10H₂O) – Mirabilite
Calcium sulphate dihydrate (CaSO₄·2H₂O) – Gypsum
Nickel sulphate hexahydrate (NiSO₄·6H₂O) – Electroplating
Cobalt sulphate heptahydrate (CoSO₄·7H₂O) – Catalysts
Manganese sulphate monohydrate (MnSO₄·H₂O) – Fertilizers
Sulphate Minerals (Key Types)
Naturally occurring, mined in India (Rajasthan/Gujarat).
Barite (BaSO₄) – Drilling muds
Celestite (SrSO₄) – Strontium source
Anhydrite (CaSO₄) – Cement
Gypsum (CaSO₄·2H₂O) – Plasterboard
Kieserite (MgSO₄·H₂O) – Potash recovery
Epsomites (MgSO₄·7H₂O) – Medicinal
Melanterite (FeSO₄·7H₂O) – Iron ore byproduct
Chalcanthite (CuSO₄·5H₂O) – Copper source
Anglesite (PbSO₄) – Lead ore
Alunite (KAl₃(SO₄)₂(OH)₆) – Potash alum
Jarosite (KFe₃(SO₄)₂(OH)₆) – Acid mine drainage
Brochantite (Cu₄(SO₄)(OH)₆) – Copper secondary mineral
Antlerite (Cu₃(SO₄)(OH)₄) – Oxidation product
Kainite (MgSO₄·KCl·3H₂O) – Potash salt
Polyhalite (K₂Ca₂Mg(SO₄)₄·2H₂O) – Fertilizer
Double/Mixed Sulphates
Contain multiple metals.
Ammonium sulphate ((NH₄)₂SO₄) – Fertilizer (21% N)
Potassium aluminium sulphate (KAl(SO₄)₂·12H₂O) – Alum
Chrome alum (KCr(SO₄)₂·12H₂O) – Tanning
Tschermigite (NH₄Al(SO₄)₂·12H₂O) – Ammonia alum
Mohr's salt (FeSO₄·(NH₄)₂SO₄·6H₂O) – Analytical reagent
Organosulfates & Esters
Organic derivatives, less common in bulk trade.
Lauryl sulfate (SLS) – Detergents
Sodium dodecyl sulfate – Surfactant
Chondroitin sulfate – Biomedical
Heparin sulfate – Anticoagulant
Industry Segments in India
Type Common Use Vadodara-Gujarat Suppliers
Ferrous/Zinc Sulphate Fertilizers Ankleshwar GIDC bulk
Copper Sulphate Agri/Pesticides Vapi exporters
Aluminium Sulphate Water Treatment Surat wholesalers
Barium Sulphate Paints/Drilling Dahej port
Ammonium Sulphate N-Fertilizer Ahmedabad factories
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