Zinc nitrate is an inorganic chemical compound that is a colorless crystalline solid with the chemical formula Zn(NO3)2. It is non-combustible but accelerates the burning of combustible materials. This white, crystalline salt is highly deliquescent (Deliquescent: Certain substances have the property to absorb moisture when exposed to the atmosphere at ordinary temperature, they initially become wet, lose their crystalline form and finally dissolve in water to form a saturated solution) in nature. Zinc nitrate solution is soluble in both water and alcohol. Nitrate compounds are mostly soluble in water. Nitrate materials are also good oxidizing agents. When they are mixed with hydrocarbons, these compounds can form a flammable mixture. Let’s discuss the Properties of Zinc nitrate, Zinc nitrate structure, and its uses.
Production of Zinc nitrate
Zinc nitrate is produced by dissolving zinc in a nitric acid solution. Below is the reaction with dilute and concentrated Nitric acid.
Zn + 2 HNO3 (diluted) → Zn(NO3)2 + H2
4 Zn + 10 HNO3 (concentrated) → 4 Zn(NO3)2 + NH4NO3 + 3H2O
After thermal decomposition of Zinc nitrate, it forms zinc oxide, oxygen, and nitrogen dioxide.
2 Zn(NO3)2 + Heat → 2ZnO + 4 NO2 + O2
Properties of Zinc nitrate
|
Zinc nitrate |
Zn(NO3)2. |
|
Molecular weight |
189.4 g/mol |
|
Boiling Point |
125 °C |
|
Melting Point |
110 °C |
|
Density |
2.065 g/cm3 |
Zinc Nitrate Structure
()
Uses of Zinc Nitrate
-
Zinc Nitrate is used as a catalyst in the manufacture of many chemicals, in the manufacturing of medicines, and dyes as a mordant.
-
It is used as a strong oxidizing agent.
-
It is used in liquid fertilizers.
-
It is also used as a latex coagulant.
Did You Know?
-
Zinc is a valuable catalytic agent in hydroxylation and other enzymatic reactions since it is an effective Lewis acid. The metal also has a versatile coordination geometry, allowing proteins to change conformations quickly to conduct biological reactions. Carbonic anhydrase and carboxypeptidase are two zinc-containing enzymes that are important for the regulation of carbon dioxide (CO2) and the digestion of proteins, respectively
-
Carbonic anhydrase converts CO2 into bicarbonate in vertebrate blood, and the same enzyme then converts bicarbonate back to CO2 for exhalation through the lungs. This conversion would take a million times longer without this enzyme at a standard blood pH of 7 or would require a pH of 10 or higher. Plants need the non-related -carbonic anhydrase for leaf formation, indole acetic acid (auxin) synthesis, and alcoholic fermentation.
-
Zinc is a trace element that is needed by humans, other mammals, plants, and microorganisms. Zinc is stored and transferred in metallothioneins, which are necessary for the function of over 300 enzymes and 1000 transcription factors. After iron, it is the second most common trace metal in humans, and it is the only metal found in all enzyme groups.