STRUCTURE AND BASIC PROPERTIES

Four crystalline forms, so-called polymorphs, of ZnCl₂ are known, and in each case the Zn²⁺ ions are tetrahedrally coordinated to four chloride ligands. Rapid cooling of molten ZnCl₂ gives a glass, that is, a rigid amorphous fluid. Additionally ZnCl₂ forms hydrates and at least one mixed hydroxide, ZnClOH.

In aqueous solution, zinc chloride fully dissociated into Zn²⁺. Thus, although many zinc salts have different formulas and different crystal structures, these salts behave very similarly in aqueous solution. For example, solutions prepared from any of the polymorphs of ZnCl₂ as well as other halides (bromide, iodide) and the sulfate can often be used interchangeably for the preparation of other zinc compounds. Illustrative is the preparation of zinc carbonate:

ZnCl₂(aq) + Na₂CO₃(aq) → ZnCO₃(s) + 2 NaCl(aq)

Preparation and purification

Anhydrous ZnCl₂ can be prepared from zinc and hydrogen chloride.

Zn + 2 HCl → ZnCl₂ + H₂

Hydrated forms and aqueous solutions may be readily prepared by treating pieces of Zn metal with concentrated hydrochloric acid. Zinc oxide and zinc sulfide react with HCl:

ZnS(s) + 2 HCl(aq) → ZnCl₂(aq) + H₂S(l)

Unlike many other elements, zinc essentially exists in only one oxidation state, 2+, which simplifies purification.

Commercial samples of zinc chloride typically contain water and products from hydrolysis product. Such samples may be purified by extraction into hot dioxane, which is filtered hot and the filtrate is cooled to afford a precipitate of ZnCl₂. Anhydrous samples can be purified by sublimation in a stream of hydrogen chloride gas, followed by heating to 400 °C in a stream of dry nitrogen gas. Finally, the simplest method relies on treating the zinc chloride with thionyl chloride.

Zinc chloride has the ability to attack metal oxides (MO) to give derivatives of the formula MZnOCl₂. This reaction is relevant to the utility of ZnCl₂ as a flux for soldering – it dissolves oxide coatings exposing the clean metal surface.[2] Typically this flux was prepared by dissolving zinc foil in dilute hydrochloric acid until the liquid ceased to evolve hydrogen, for this reason such flux was once known as killed spirits.

Because of its corrosive nature, this flux is not suitable for situations where any residue cannot be cleaned away, such as electronic work. This property also leads to its use in the manufacture of magnesia cements for dental fillings and certain mouthwashes as an active ingredient.

Zinc Chloride in various solutions and in the solid (granular) form. Our Zinc Chloride is a high purity, multi application chemical that is available in a complete range of strengths. Zinc chloride has a variety of uses including flux manufacture, water treatment and as an electrolyte in battery manufacture. Zinc chloride is also used in zinc plating, rubber and fiber vulcanization, textile finishing and for applications in food canning. It has a number of uses in personal care products and as an intermediate for fertilizers, antibiotics and catalysts.

Zinc Chloride concentrations to meet individual customer requirements. Our Zinc Chloride solutions are shipped in tank cars, tank trucks, totes and non-returnable 30 and 55-gallon drums. Our granular product is shipped in 55 gallon drums and 55 pound bags.

SPECIFICATION OF ZINC CHLORIDE