Zinc nitrate

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Zinc nitrate
Names
IUPAC name
Zinc nitrate
Other names
Celloxan
Nitric acid, zinc salt
Zinc(II) nitrate
Zinc dinitrate
Properties
Zn(NO3)2 (anhydrous)
Zn(NO3)2·6 H2O (hexahydrate)
Molar mass 189.36 g/mol (anhydrous)
297.49 g/mol (hexahydrate)
Appearance Colorless crystalline solid, hygroscopic
Density 2.065 g/cm3 (hexahydrate)
Melting point 110 °C (230 °F; 383 K) (anhydrous)
45.5 °C (113.9 °F; 318.65 K) (trihydrate)
36.4 °C (97.52 °F; 309.55 K) (hexahydrate)
Boiling point 125 °C (257 °F; 398 K) (decomposes) (hexahydrate)
trihydrate
327 g/100 ml (40 °C)
hexahydrate
184.3 g/100 ml (20 °C)
Solubility Soluble in ethanol, methanol
Hazards
Safety data sheet Sigma-Aldrich (hydrate)
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC):
1,400 mg/kg (rat, female, oral)
1,558.7 mg/kg (rat, male, oral)
241.3 mg/kg (mouse ,male, oral)
Related compounds
Related compounds
Cadmium nitrate
Mercury(II) nitrate
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references

Zinc nitrate is a salt of zinc with the formula Zn(NO3)2. Zinc nitrate is highly deliquescent and is typically encountered as a hexahydrate, Zn(NO3)2·6H2O, though a trihydrate is also known.

Properties

Chemical

When heated, zinc nitrate decomposes to give off nitrogen dioxide and oxygen gasses, leaving behind zinc oxide.

Zn(NO3)2 → ZnO + 2 NO2 + ½ O2

Physical

Zinc nitrate is an odorless hygroscopic solid, soluble in water and alcohols.

Availability

Zinc nitrate is available as Zn+N fertilizer, though not always as pure substance.

Zinc nitrate is sold by chemical suppliers, most of the time as hexahydrate. It can also be purchased on eBay and Amazon.

Preparation

Zinc nitrate can be produced by dissolving zinc oxide, zinc hydroxide or zinc carbonate in nitric acid.

ZnO + 2 HNO3 → Zn(NO3)2 + H2
Zn(OH)2 + 2 HNO3 → Zn(NO3)2 + 3 H2
ZnCO3 + 2 HNO3 → Zn(NO3)2 + H2 + CO2

If zinc metal is used, diluted nitric acid should be used, as reaction of zinc metal with concentrated nitric acid also produces ammonium nitrate.

Zn + 2 HNO3 (dil.) → Zn(NO3)2 + H2
4 Zn + 10 HNO3 (conc.) → 4 Zn(NO3)2 + NH4NO3 + 3 H2O

Projects

  • Make flash powders
  • Make nitrogen dioxide and nitric acid

Handling

Safety

Zinc nitrate is irritant and a strong oxidizer, though it's hygroscopicity limits its oxidizing power.

Storage

Should be stored in closed, air-tight containers, away from flammable materials.

Disposal

Addition of a soluble carbonate will precipitate zinc carbonate.

Unless contaminated with heavy metals, diluted solutions of zinc nitrate can be used as fertilizer.

References

Relevant Sciencemadness threads