Zinc Acetate Formula: Definition, Preparation, Properties, Uses

Zinc Acetate Formula: Zinc acetate is a salt. Its chemical formula is \({\rm{Zn}}{\left( {{\rm{C}}{{\rm{H}}_3}{\rm{COO}}} \right)_2}.\) It can also be written as \({\rm{Zinc(II)}}\) acetate. It is the zinc salt of acetic acid. Zinc acetate is commonly found in its dihydrate form, \({\rm{Zn}}{\left( {{\rm{C}}{{\rm{H}}_3}{\rm{COO}}} \right)_2} \cdot 2{{\rm{H}}_2}{\rm{O}}.\) The hydrated and anhydrous form of zinc acetate is commonly used as dietary supplements. In this article, we are going to discuss everything about zinc acetate in detail.

Zinc Acetate Chemical Formula

Zinc acetate is a salt with the chemical formula \({\rm{Zn}}{\left( {{\rm{C}}{{\rm{H}}_3}{\rm{COO}}} \right)_2}.\) It contains zinc \(\left( {{\rm{Z}}{{\rm{n}}^{2 + }}} \right)\) and acetate \(\left( {{\rm{C}}{{\rm{H}}_3}{\rm{CO}}{{\rm{O}}^ – }} \right)\) ions. Therefore, zinc acetate is considered as an ionic compound.

Zinc acetate can be represented as:

In zinc acetate, \({\rm{Zn}}{\left( {{\rm{C}}{{\rm{H}}_3}{\rm{COO}}} \right)_2}\) the zinc ion is coordinated to four oxygen atoms forming a tetrahedral environment.

The molar mass of zinc acetate, \({\rm{Zn}}{\left( {{\rm{C}}{{\rm{H}}_3}{\rm{COO}}} \right)_2}\) is \(183.48\;{\rm{g}}/{\rm{mol}}.\)

Zinc Acetate Chemical Formula Derivation

The chemical formula of zinc acetate can be derived using the criss-cross method.

In the criss-cross method, by knowing the valencies of each element in the compound, we can easily write its formula. That is, the symbol of the positive ion is written to the left and the symbol of the negative ion to its right. The valency of an element is placed as a subscript on the side of the symbol of the other element. Subscript 1 is not often written. Signs of the charges are discarded.

Using this, the chemical formula of zinc acetate can be found as:

Zinc acetate contains zinc \(\left( {{\rm{Z}}{{\rm{n}}^{2 + }}} \right)\) and acetate \(\left( {{\rm{C}}{{\rm{H}}_3}{\rm{CO}}{{\rm{O}}^ – }} \right)\) radicals.  The valency of zinc radical is two and that of acetate radical is one. By criss-crossing these valency numbers, the chemical formula of zinc acetate is \({\rm{Zn}}{\left( {{\rm{C}}{{\rm{H}}_3}{\rm{COO}}} \right)_2}.\) That is,

Preparation of Zinc Acetate

Zinc acetate can be produced using the following methods:

1. By the Reaction of Zinc and Acetic Acid: 

Generally, a metal reacts with an acid to form metal salt and hydrogen gas. Here, zinc metal reacts with acetic acid forming zinc acetate salt along with the liberation of hydrogen gas. The chemical equation for the reaction can be given as,

\(2{\rm{C}}{{\rm{H}}_3}{\rm{COOH}} + {\rm{Zn}} \to {\rm{Zn}}{\left( {{\rm{C}}{{\rm{H}}_3}{\rm{COO}}} \right)_2} + {{\rm{H}}_2}\)

2. By the Reaction of Zinc Oxide and Acetic Acid: 

Zinc oxide, when added to acetic acid produces zinc acetate and water as the products. The chemical equation for the reaction can be given as,

\(2{\rm{C}}{{\rm{H}}_3}{\rm{COOH}} + {\rm{ZnO}} \to {\rm{Zn}}{\left( {{\rm{C}}{{\rm{H}}_3}{\rm{COO}}} \right)_2} + {{\rm{H}}_2}{\rm{O}}\)

For the above reactions, vinegar can be used as a source of acetic acid. However, if vinegar is used, the organic residue formed from the vinegar will get trapped inside the zinc acetate crystals. Therefore, after such a reaction, we have to crush the resulting crystals and should be washed thoroughly using an organic solvent. To remove all the impurities, multiple recrystallization methods will be required.

3. Zinc acetate, \({\rm{Zn}}{\left( {{\rm{C}}{{\rm{H}}_3}{\rm{COO}}} \right)_2}\) can also be prepared by heating the zinc acetate dihydrate or by refluxing it with toluene.

Properties of Zinc Acetate

Let us discuss the physical and chemical properties of zinc acetate, \({\rm{Zn}}{\left( {{\rm{C}}{{\rm{H}}_3}{\rm{COO}}} \right)_2}.\)

Physical Properties of Zinc Acetate

1. Zinc acetate, \({\rm{Zn}}{\left( {{\rm{C}}{{\rm{H}}_3}{\rm{COO}}} \right)_2}\) appears as a white solid. All other forms of zinc acetate also appear white in colour.
2. It is soluble in water and methanol. It is slightly soluble in acetic acid. 
3. Zinc acetate is hygroscopic in nature. Therefore, it quickly turns into the dihydrate form when exposed into the open air.
4. The melting point of zinc acetate is approximately equal to \({\rm{510}}\,{\rm{K}}{\rm{.}}\) Above this temperature, it decomposes.

Chemical Properties of Zinc Acetate

1. Reaction with Bases

Zinc acetate reacts with a base like sodium hydroxide to form zinc hydroxide and sodium acetate. The chemical equation for the reaction can be given as,

\({\rm{Zn}}{\left( {{\rm{C}}{{\rm{H}}_3}{\rm{COO}}} \right)_2} + 2{\rm{NaOH}} \to 2{\rm{C}}{{\rm{H}}_3}{\rm{COONa}} + {\rm{Zn}}{({\rm{OH}})_2}\)

2. Pyrolysis of Zinc Acetate

Some studies have been shown that, pyrolysis of zinc acetate at reduced pressure yields acetic anhydride and basic zinc acetate as the products. The chemical equation for the reaction can be given as,

\(2{\rm{Zn}}{({\rm{AcO}})_2} \to {\rm{Z}}{{\rm{n}}_4}{({\rm{AcO}})_6} + {\rm{A}}{{\rm{c}}_2}{\rm{O}}\)

However, this reaction is not studied or confirmed further.

Uses of Zinc Acetate

Zinc acetate has got several medicinal and other industrial uses. They include: 

1. Zinc acetate is majorly used as dietary supplements.
2. It is used as a supplement for the treatment of common cold.
3. Zinc acetate is used to treat the deficiency of zinc in the body.
4. As a part of the treatment for Wilson’s disease, zinc acetate is used to inhibit body’s absorption of copper. It is given as an oral supplement.
5. It is used for the tropical treatment of acne in the form of lotions, ointments, or combined with antibiotics.
6. Zinc carbonate is found as an ingredient in anti-itch ointments.
7. Zinc acetate is used to preserve wood in industries.
8. In power plants, it is used as a plating inhibitor.

Summary

Zinc acetate is a salt composed of zinc \(\left( {{\rm{Z}}{{\rm{n}}^{2 + }}} \right)\) and acetate \(\left( {{\rm{C}}{{\rm{H}}_3}{\rm{CO}}{{\rm{O}}^ – }} \right)\) ions. Its chemical formula is \({\rm{Zn}}{\left( {{\rm{C}}{{\rm{H}}_3}{\rm{COO}}} \right)_2}.\) It is considered as an ionic compound. Zinc acetate is commonly found in its dihydrate form, \({\rm{Zn}}{\left( {{\rm{C}}{{\rm{H}}_3}{\rm{COO}}} \right)_2} \cdot 2{{\rm{H}}_2}{\rm{O}}{\rm{.}}\) It can be prepared by the reaction of zinc or zinc oxide with acetic acid. It is most commonly used as a dietary supplement. The other physical and chemical properties and its several uses are explained in this article.

FAQs on Zinc Acetate Formula

Q.1. What is the formula of zinc acetate? 
Ans: Zinc acetate is a salt with the chemical formula \({\rm{Zn}}{\left( {{\rm{C}}{{\rm{H}}_3}{\rm{COO}}} \right)_2}.\) It can also be written as \({\rm{Zn}}{\left( {{\rm{C}}{{\rm{H}}_3}{\rm{C}}{{\rm{O}}_2}} \right)_2}.\)

Q.2. What is zinc acetate used for?
Ans: Zinc acetate has several uses. That is, it is majorly used as a dietary supplement, used as a supplement for the treatment of common cold, used to treat the deficiency of zinc in the body, used in anti-itch ointments, etc.

Q.3. How can we write the chemical formula of zinc acetate?
Ans: The chemical formula of zinc acetate can be written using the criss-crossmethod. Zinc acetate contains zinc \(\left( {{\rm{Z}}{{\rm{n}}^{2 + }}} \right)\) and acetate \(\left( {{\rm{C}}{{\rm{H}}_3}{\rm{CO}}{{\rm{O}}^ – }} \right)\) radicals.  The valency of zinc radical is two and that of acetate radical is one. By criss-crossing these valency numbers, the chemical formula of zinc acetate is \({\rm{Zn}}{\left( {{\rm{C}}{{\rm{H}}_3}{\rm{COO}}} \right)_2}.\)

Q.4. What are the side effects of zinc acetate?
Ans: Common side effects of consuming zinc acetate drugs include difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat, upset stomach, etc.

Q.5. Is zinc acetate safe?
Ans: Zinc acetate is slightly irritant due to the acetic acid resulting from hydrolysis. However, it is not a problem when handling the compound.

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