Zinc sulphate is a compound with the chemical formula ZnSO4. It is commonly used as a dietary supplement to treat zinc deficiency and as a fertilizer for crops.
| IUPAC Name | Zinc sulfate |
| Molecular Formula | ZnSO4 |
| CAS Number | 7733-02-0 |
| Synonyms | White vitriol, Zinc vitriol, Zinc(II) sulfate, Zinc(2+) sulfate, Zinc monosulfate, Zinc sulfate heptahydrate, Zinc sulphate monohydrate |
| InChI | InChI=1S/2O.H2S.Zn/h2*1H;1H2;/q;;;+2/p-2 |
Zinc Sulfate formula
The chemical formula for zinc sulfate is ZnSO4. It consists of one zinc ion (Zn2+) and one sulfate ion (SO42-). The formula shows that zinc sulfate contains one atom of zinc, one atom of sulfur, and four atoms of oxygen.
Zinc Sulphate molar mass
The molar mass of Zinc Sulphate (ZnSO4) is 161.44 g/mol. It is the sum of the atomic masses of all the atoms present in one mole of the compound. Zinc Sulphate is composed of one Zinc (Zn) atom, one Sulphur (S) atom, and four Oxygen (O) atoms. The molar mass is an essential parameter used in stoichiometry calculations to determine the amount of reactants and products in a chemical reaction.
Zinc Sulphate boiling point
Zinc Sulphate does not have a definite boiling point as it decomposes before reaching its boiling point. The compound undergoes thermal decomposition at around 680 °C, forming Zinc oxide (ZnO), Sulphur dioxide (SO2), and Oxygen (O2) gases. The decomposition temperature is affected by the presence of impurities, pressure, and heating rate. Zinc Sulphate is stable at lower temperatures and is soluble in water, methanol, and ethanol.
Zinc Sulphate melting point
The melting point of Zinc Sulphate depends on the hydration level of the compound. Zinc Sulphate heptahydrate (ZnSO4.7H2O) has a melting point of 100 °C, while Zinc Sulphate monohydrate (ZnSO4.H2O) melts at 70 °C. Anhydrous Zinc Sulphate (ZnSO4) decomposes before melting. The melting point is influenced by factors such as pressure, purity, and the rate of heating.
Zinc Sulphate density g/ml
The density of Zinc Sulphate varies with its hydration state. Zinc Sulphate heptahydrate has a density of 1.957 g/cm³, Zinc Sulphate monohydrate has a density of 3.08 g/cm³, and anhydrous Zinc Sulphate has a density of 3.54 g/cm³. The density is a physical property that determines the amount of mass per unit volume of a substance. The density of Zinc Sulphate is also affected by temperature and pressure.
Zinc Sulfate molecular weight
The molecular weight of Zinc Sulfate is 161.44 g/mol. It is calculated by adding the atomic weights of Zinc, Sulphur, and Oxygen, which are 65.38 g/mol, 32.06 g/mol, and 63.998 g/mol, respectively. The molecular weight is used in various calculations such as determining the concentration of Zinc Sulfate solutions in chemistry and biology experiments.
Zinc Sulfate Structure
Zinc Sulfate has a crystalline structure in its anhydrous form, with Zinc cations (Zn2+) and Sulfate anions (SO42-) arranged in an alternating pattern. The Zinc cation is coordinated by six Oxygen atoms from six Sulfate anions, forming a distorted octahedral geometry. In the hydrated form, Zinc Sulfate heptahydrate forms monoclinic crystals, while Zinc Sulfate monohydrate forms orthorhombic crystals. The water molecules in the hydrates are weakly bonded to the Zinc Sulfate lattice through hydrogen bonding.
| Appearance | White crystalline solid |
| Specific Gravity | 3.54 g/cm³ (anhydrous) |
| Color | White |
| Odor | Odorless |
| Molar Mass | 161.44 g/mol |
| Density | 1.957 g/cm³ (heptahydrate), 3.08 g/cm³ (monohydrate), 3.54 g/cm³ (anhydrous) |
| Melting Point | 70 °C (monohydrate), 100 °C (heptahydrate) |
| Boiling Point | Decomposes before boiling |
| Flash Point | Not applicable |
| Water Solubility | Highly soluble |
| Solubility | Soluble in water, methanol, and ethanol |
| Vapour Pressure | Not applicable |
| Vapour Density | Not applicable |
| pKa | pKa1=1.9, pKa2=3.1, pKa3=9.8 |
| pH | pH of 0.1M solution is 4.2 |
Zinc Sulphate Safety and Hazards
Zinc Sulfate is generally safe to handle when used as directed. However, it may cause irritation to the eyes, skin, and respiratory system upon contact. Ingestion of large quantities can lead to nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Long-term exposure to Zinc Sulfate dust may cause respiratory irritation or metal fume fever. It is important to wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves and goggles when handling Zinc Sulfate. In case of accidental exposure, rinse affected areas with plenty of water and seek medical attention if necessary. Keep Zinc Sulfate in a tightly sealed container and away from incompatible substances.
| Hazard Symbols | Xi |
| Safety Description | Keep out of reach of children. Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection. IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing. IF SWALLOWED: Rinse mouth. Do NOT induce vomiting. Get medical advice/attention if you feel unwell. Dispose of contents/container in accordance with local/regional/national/international regulations. |
| UN Ids | Not regulated |
| HS Code | 2833.29.90 |
| Hazard Class | 9 – Miscellaneous dangerous goods |
| Packing Group | III |
| Toxicity | Zinc Sulphate is generally considered to have low toxicity. However, ingestion of large amounts can cause gastrointestinal irritation and may lead to vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration. Inhalation of dust or mist can irritate the respiratory tract. Zinc Sulphate may cause irritation to the eyes and skin upon contact. Prolonged exposure to high levels of Zinc Sulphate dust may lead to metal fume fever. |
Zinc Sulphate Synthesis Methods
There are several methods for synthesizing Zinc Sulfate, depending on the desired purity, particle size, and hydration level of the final product. One common method involves the reaction of Zinc metal or Zinc Oxide with Sulphuric Acid:
1. Zinc Metal + Sulphuric Acid → Zinc Sulfate + Hydrogen Gas
2. Zinc Oxide + Sulphuric Acid → Zinc Sulfate + Water
To optimize the yield and purity of Zinc Sulfate, one must carry out the reaction under controlled conditions of temperature, stirring, and acid concentration. After that, apply further processing steps such as crystallization, drying, and sieving to the resulting Zinc Sulfate solution to obtain the desired particle size and hydration level.
Another method for producing Zinc Sulfate involves the reaction of Zinc Ore or Concentrate with Sulphuric Acid:
3. Zinc Ore/Concentrate + Sulphuric Acid → Zinc Sulfate + Iron Sulfate + Water
One can separate Zinc Sulfate from Iron Sulfate and other impurities using techniques such as filtration, precipitation, or solvent extraction.
To produce Zinc Sulfate, one can react with Zinc Carbonate or Zinc Hydroxide with Sulphuric Acid, or oxidize Zinc Ash with Sulphuric Acid.
The choice of method depends on factors such as the availability of raw materials, cost, and product specifications.
Zinc Sulfate Uses
Zinc Sulfate has a wide range of industrial, agricultural, and medical applications due to its unique properties. Here are some common uses of Zinc Sulfate:
- Fertilizer: Used as a micronutrient fertilizer that provides essential Zinc to plants for healthy growth and development.
- Animal Feed: Added to animal feed as a nutritional supplement to prevent Zinc deficiency and improve overall health.
- Water Treatment: Used in water treatment plants to remove impurities and reduce turbidity.
- Galvanizing: Used in the galvanizing process, which involves coating iron and steel with a layer of Zinc to prevent corrosion.
- Medicine: Used in medicine as a dietary supplement to treat Zinc deficiency, as well as in topical ointments to treat skin conditions such as eczema and acne.
- Dyeing: Used in textile dyeing and printing to improve the color fastness and brightness of dyes.
- Electroplating: Used in electroplating to deposit a layer of Zinc onto metal surfaces for corrosion protection and decorative purposes.
- Flame Retardant: Used as a flame retardant in plastics, rubber, and other materials to reduce the risk of fire.
- Other uses: Used in the production of pigments, paper, soaps, and detergents.
Questions:
Q: What would you observe when zinc is added to a solution of iron sulphate?
A: When zinc is added to a solution of iron sulphate, a displacement reaction occurs. The more reactive zinc displaces the less reactive iron from the sulphate solution, forming zinc sulphate and iron metal. The reaction can be observed as the formation of a reddish-brown solid and the release of hydrogen gas.
Q: What happens when a piece of zinc metal is added to copper sulphate solution?
A: When a piece of zinc metal is added to copper sulphate solution, a displacement reaction occurs. Zinc is more reactive than copper, so it displaces copper from the sulphate solution, forming zinc sulphate and a reddish-brown solid of copper metal. The reaction can be observed as the solution turning blue as copper ions are released into the solution and the formation of a solid copper deposit on the surface of the zinc metal.
Q: Is zinc sulphate a salt?
A: Yes, zinc sulphate is a salt composed of zinc ions (Zn2+) and sulfate ions (SO42-). It is a white crystalline compound with the formula ZnSO4 and is commonly used in a variety of applications such as fertilizers, animal feed, and medicine.
Q: Where to buy zinc sulfate powder?
A: Zinc sulfate powder can be purchased from chemical suppliers, online retailers, and agricultural supply stores. It is important to ensure that the product is of high quality and suitable for the intended use.
Q: Is zinc sulfate soluble?
A: Yes, zinc sulfate is soluble in water and glycerol. The solubility of zinc sulfate varies with temperature, with higher solubility at higher temperatures. The solubility can also be affected by the presence of other ions in the solution.
Q: What is zinc sulfate good for?
A: Zinc sulfate has a variety of applications, including its use as a fertilizer, animal feed supplement, water treatment agent, medicine, and in the production of pigments, paper, and textiles. It is also used in electroplating, flame retardants, and as a dietary supplement to treat Zinc deficiency and support overall health.