Zinc chloride
| Names | |
|---|---|
| IUPAC name
Zinc chloride
| |
| Systematic IUPAC name
Zinc chloride | |
| Other names
Zinc dichloride
Butter of zinc | |
| Properties | |
| ZnCl2 | |
| Molar mass | 136.315 g/mol |
| Appearance | White deliquescent crystalline solid |
| Density | 2.907 g/cm3 |
| Melting point | 292 °C (558 °F; 565 K) |
| Boiling point | 756 °C (1,393 °F; 1,029 K) |
| 4320 g/L (25 °C) | |
| Solubility | Soluble in acetone, ethanol, glycerol |
| Hazards | |
| Safety data sheet | Sigma-Aldrich |
| Flash point | None |
| Related compounds | |
| Related compounds
|
Zinc acetate |
| Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). | |
| Infobox references | |
Zinc chloride is the name of a chemical compound with the formula ZnCl2.
Contents
Properties
Chemical
Zinc chloride is a hygroscopic compound, that will absorb water from air to form at least 5 hydrates. Heating them will result in zinc oxychloride.
Physical
Zinc chloride is an odorless, hygroscopic and even deliquescent white solid, very soluble in water and ethanol, as well as acetone and glycerol.
Availability
Zinc chloride is available as hydrated form as metal flux, though this form is not very useful.
Anhydrous zinc chloride can be purchased from chemical suppliers.
Preparation
Anhydrous zinc chloride can be prepared by reacting zinc metal with chlorine at high temperatures. The hydrated form can also be turned anhydrous by heating it in a stream of hydrogen chloride, or adding thionyl chloride, then boiling off the resulting liquid.
Projects
- Make zinc carbonate
- Friedel–Crafts acylation catalyst
- Make alkyl chlorides
- Make fluorescein
- Make smoke screens
- Make tetrachlorozincate compounds
- Make zinc ammonia chlorides
- Make zinc Sorel cement
- Dissolve cellulose
- Fingerprint detection
Handling
Safety
Zinc chloride is a skin and respiratory irritant, especially the anhydrous form. As it hydrolyzes in water, it will release hydrochloric acid, which is corrosive. Proper protection should be worn when handling the compound.
Storage
Zinc chloride should be kept in closed or sealed containers, especially the anhydrous form. A drybox or desiccator can also be used, though water will slowly get inside the container. For storage of very pure zinc chloride, a Schlenk flask should be used.
Disposal
Can be neutralized by mixing it with lime water.
