What Is Zinc Acetate Definition Formula Reactions and Uses in Chemistry
Zinc acetate is a salt with the formula Zn(CH3CO2)2. Colorless solids, both the hydrate and anhydrous forms are widely used in chemical synthesis and as dietary supplements. Acetic acid reacts with zinc carbonate or zinc metal to produce zinc acetates. It has the E number E650 when used as a food additive.
It can be found in two forms: anhydrous and dihydrate. It's a crystalline white solid. It has astringent properties. It's a zinc molecular object as well as an acetate salt.
The formula of Zinc acetate is Zn(CH3COO)2(H2O)2
The molecular weight of Zinc acetate is 219.50 g/mol (dihydrate)
The density of Zinc acetate is 1.735 g/cm3 (dihydrate)
The melting point of Zinc acetate is 237 °C (Decomposes)
The boiling point of Zinc acetate
The appearance of zinc acetate is White solid (all forms)
Solubility in water is 43 g/100 mL (20 °C, dihydrate)
Solubility in methanol is 1.5 g/100 mL
Magnetic susceptibility (χ) is −101.0·10−6 cm3/mol (H2O)
Zinc Acetate Structure
Zinc is coordinated to four oxygen atoms in anhydrous zinc acetate to form a tetrahedral environment; these tetrahedral polyhedra are then interconnected by acetate ligands to form a variety of polymeric structures.
The zinc in zinc acetate dihydrate is octahedral, with both acetate groups being bidentate.
[Image will be uploaded soon]
Let us look at the Properties of Zinc acetate.
Properties of Zinc Acetate
In a vacuum, heating Zn(CH3CO2)2 allows the acetic anhydride to evaporate, leaving a trace of basic zinc acetate with the formula Zn4O(CH3CO2)6. The tetrahedral structure of this cluster compound is shown above. While it is slightly extended with Zn-O lengths, this species closely resembles the corresponding beryllium compound.
Uses of Zinc Acetate
Lozenges containing zinc acetate have been used to treat the common cold. Treatment for zinc deficiency can also be done with zinc acetate. As part of the cure for Wilson's disease, it is taken as an oral daily supplement to prevent the body from absorbing copper. Zinc acetate is also available as an astringent in the form of an ointment, a topical lotion, or a combination of zinc acetate and an antibiotic such as erythromycin for the treatment of acne on the skin. It's most widely used as an anti-itch ointment.
Wood protection, the manufacture of other zinc salts, polymers, the manufacture of ethyl acetate, as a dye mordant, and analytical reagent are all examples of industrial applications. It's used as a plating inhibitor on primary water piping in commercial nuclear power plants.
Health Hazards
Inhaling zinc diacetate can cause slight irritation of the throat and nose, resulting in sneezing and coughing. Swallowing damages or irritates the gastrointestinal tract, resulting in vomiting. It's a non-flammable substance.
Did You Know?
Acrodermatitis enteropathica is a rare disease in Denmark, with a prevalence of one in every 500000 people. The exact cause of poor zinc absorption is unclear, but a tryptophan derivative called picolinic acid has been suggested as the deficient ligand. Symptoms typically occur 4–6 weeks after weaning, or sometimes earlier in infants who are not consuming breast milk. The child becomes irritable and withdraws, and photophobia grows. Untreated cases may result in anorexia, pica, growth deficiency, hypogonadism, impaired taste and smell, night blindness, and neuropsychiatric symptoms (mood swings, tremors, dysarthria, and jitteriness).
Zinc has been used as a therapeutic modality for decades, whether in its elemental form or its different forms (salts). Zinc oxide, calamine, and zinc pyrithione are topical formulations that have been used as photo protectants, relaxing agents, and active ingredients in anti-dandruff shampoos. It's been used for a range of dermatological conditions over the years, including infections (warts, leishmaniasis), inflammatory dermatoses (acne vulgaris, rosacea), pigmentary disorders (melasma), and neoplasias (skin cancers) (basal cell carcinoma). While the importance of oral zinc in human zinc deficiency syndromes such as acrodermatitis enteropathica has been recognized for some time, the importance of zinc as a micronutrient necessary for infant growth and development has only recently been recognized.
FAQs on Zinc Acetate Structure Properties Preparation and Applications
1. What is zinc acetate?
Zinc acetate is an ionic compound with the formula Zn(CH3COO)2, formed from zinc ions and acetate ions. It contains one Zn2+ ion and two CH3COO- (acetate) ions. Key points include:
- It is commonly found as the dihydrate: Zn(CH3COO)2·2H2O.
- It is a white crystalline solid.
- It is soluble in water and dissociates into Zn2+(aq) and CH3COO-(aq).
Zinc acetate is widely used in chemistry laboratories, medicine, and industry.
2. What is the chemical formula of zinc acetate?
The chemical formula of zinc acetate is Zn(CH3COO)2. It consists of:
- One Zn2+ ion
- Two acetate ions (CH3COO-)
The charges balance because +2 from zinc is neutralized by 2 × (−1) from acetate. The common hydrated form is Zn(CH3COO)2·2H2O.
3. How is zinc acetate prepared in the laboratory?
Zinc acetate is prepared by reacting zinc metal or zinc oxide with acetic acid. A common laboratory reaction is:
ZnO(s) + 2CH3COOH(aq) → Zn(CH3COO)2(aq) + H2O(l)
- Zinc oxide reacts with acetic acid.
- The solution is filtered and evaporated.
- Crystals of zinc acetate are obtained on cooling.
Zinc metal can also react directly: Zn(s) + 2CH3COOH(aq) → Zn(CH3COO)2(aq) + H2(g).
4. Is zinc acetate soluble in water?
Yes, zinc acetate is highly soluble in water and dissociates into ions in aqueous solution. The dissolution process is:
Zn(CH3COO)2(s) → Zn2+(aq) + 2CH3COO-(aq)
- It forms a clear, colorless solution.
- The acetate ion can act as a weak base in water.
This solubility makes zinc acetate useful in aqueous chemical reactions and medicinal formulations.
5. What is the molar mass of zinc acetate?
The molar mass of anhydrous zinc acetate, Zn(CH3COO)2, is approximately 183.48 g·mol-1. It is calculated as:
- Zn = 65.38 g·mol-1
- 2 × (C2H3O2) = 2 × 59.04 g·mol-1
For the common dihydrate Zn(CH3COO)2·2H2O, the molar mass is about 219.50 g·mol-1 due to the additional water molecules.
6. What type of compound is zinc acetate?
Zinc acetate is an ionic salt formed from a metal cation and a polyatomic anion. It consists of:
- Zn2+ (a metal cation)
- CH3COO- (a polyatomic acetate anion)
Although it contains covalent bonds within the acetate ion, the overall compound is classified as an ionic compound because of electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions.
7. What are the common uses of zinc acetate?
Zinc acetate is commonly used in medicine, industry, and chemical laboratories. Major uses include:
- As a zinc supplement in treating zinc deficiency.
- In cold lozenges for reducing symptom duration.
- As a catalyst or precursor in organic synthesis.
- In textile dyeing and wood preservation.
Its water solubility and availability of Zn2+ ions make it chemically useful in many applications.
8. What happens when zinc acetate is heated?
When zinc acetate is strongly heated, it decomposes to form zinc oxide and organic vapors. A simplified decomposition reaction is:
Zn(CH3COO)2(s) → ZnO(s) + volatile organic products
- Zinc oxide (ZnO) remains as a solid residue.
- Organic fragments such as acetone and carbon dioxide may form.
This thermal decomposition is used in preparing zinc oxide in laboratory settings.
9. What is the difference between zinc acetate and zinc sulfate?
The main difference is that zinc acetate contains the acetate ion (CH3COO-), while zinc sulfate contains the sulfate ion (SO42-). Their formulas are:
- Zn(CH3COO)2 (zinc acetate)
- ZnSO4 (zinc sulfate)
Zinc sulfate is derived from sulfuric acid, whereas zinc acetate is derived from acetic acid. Their chemical behavior differs due to the properties of the acetate and sulfate ions.
10. Is zinc acetate acidic or basic in solution?
Zinc acetate solution is typically slightly acidic due to hydrolysis of the zinc ion. In water:
- Zn2+ can undergo partial hydrolysis, releasing H+.
- The acetate ion (CH3COO-) is a weak base.
Because Zn2+ hydrolysis is relatively significant, aqueous zinc acetate solutions often show a mildly acidic pH.
