Zinc Acetate

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.

1. The formula of Zinc acetate is Zn(CH3COO)2(H2O)2

2. The molecular weight of Zinc acetate is 219.50 g/mol (dihydrate)

3. The density of Zinc acetate is 1.735 g/cm3 (dihydrate)

4. The melting point of Zinc acetate is 237 °C (Decomposes)

5. The boiling point of Zinc acetate

6. The appearance of zinc acetate is White solid (all forms)

7. Solubility in water is 43 g/100 mL (20 °C, dihydrate)

8. Solubility in methanol is 1.5 g/100 mL 

9. 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.

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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

1. 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.

2. 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.