Chemical Properties
Zinc chloride is white/colorless crystalline granules.
General Description
ZINC CHLORIDE, SOLUTION(7646-85-7) is a colorless liquid. ZINC CHLORIDE, SOLUTION(7646-85-7) is mildly corrosive to metals. ZINC CHLORIDE, SOLUTION(7646-85-7) causes burns to eyes, skin and mucous membranes.
Reactivity Profile
Acidic salts, such as ZINC CHLORIDE, are generally soluble in water. The resulting solutions contain moderate concentrations of hydrogen ions and have pH's of less than 7.0. They react as acids to neutralize bases. These neutralizations generate heat, but less or far less than is generated by neutralization of inorganic acids, inorganic oxoacids, and carboxylic acid. They usually do not react as either oxidizing agents or reducing agents but such behavior is not impossible. Many of these compounds catalyze organic reactions.
Air & Water Reactions
When dissolved in water, ZINC CHLORIDE, SOLUTION is a strong acid. [Handling Chemicals Safely 1980. p. 964]
Health Hazard
Exposures to zinc chloride cause adverse health effects and poisoning. On contact with the skin, zinc chloride causes skin burns and ulcerations, redness, eyes develop pain and blurred vision, and any splashes from solutions may cause eye damage. It is extremely
destructive to the tissues of the mucous membranes and upper respiratory tract. The
symptoms of toxicity include, but are not limited to, burning sensation, coughing, wheezing, laryngitis, shortness of breath, headache, nausea and vomiting, and irritation or corrosion to the gastrointestinal tract with abdominal pain. After repeated exposures of zinc
chloride through skin contact, occupational workers develop varying degrees of skin
problems, such as dermatitis and skin ulcerations. Repeated inhalation of zinc chloride
causes occupational asthma among workers
Health Hazard
Solid or water solution is astringent and can irritate the eyes. When ingested, can cause intoxication, severe irritation of stomach, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Potential Exposure
Zinc chloride is used in iron galvanizing;
as a wood preservative; for dry battery cells; as a soldering
flux; in textile finishing; in vulcanized fiber;
reclaiming rubber; in oil and gas well operations; oil refining;
manufacturing of parchment paper; in dyes; activated
carbon; in chemical synthesis; in adhesives; dentists’
cement; deodorants, disinfecting and embalming solutions;
and taxidermy. It is also produced by military screeningsmoke.
Fire Hazard
Non-combustible, substance itself does not burn but may decompose upon heating to produce corrosive and/or toxic fumes. Some are oxidizers and may ignite combustibles (wood, paper, oil, clothing, etc.). Contact with metals may evolve flammable hydrogen gas. Containers may explode when heated.
First aid
Move victim to fresh air. Call 911 or emergency
medical service. Give artificial respiration if victim is not
breathing. Do not use mouth-to-mouth method if victim
ingested or in haled the substance; give artificial respiration
with the aid of a pocket mask equipped with a one-way valve
or other proper respiratory medical device. Administer oxygen
if breathing is difficult. Remove and isolate contaminated
clothing and shoes. In case of contact with substance,
immediately flush skin or eyes with running water for at
least 20 minutes. For minor skin contact, avoid spreading
material on unaffected skin. Keep victim warm and quiet.
Effects of exposure (inhalation, ingestion or skin contact) to
substance may be delayed. Ensure that medical personnel
are aware of the material(s) involved and take precautions to
protect themselves. Medical observation is recommended for
24 to 48 hours after breathing overexposure, as pulmonary
edema may be delayed. As first aid for pulmonary edema,
a doctor or authorized paramedic may consider administering
a drug or other inhalation therapy.
Shipping
UN2331 Zinc chloride, anhydrous, Hazard class: 8;
Labels: 8-Corrosive material. UN1840 Zinc chloride, solution,
Hazard class: 8; Labels: 8-Corrosive material.
Incompatibilities
Aqueous solutions are strongly acidic.
Incompatible with bases and potassium. Incompatible with
strong oxidizers (chlorates, nitrates, peroxides, permanganates,
perchlorates, chlorine, bromine, fluorine, etc.); contact
may cause fires or explosions. Keep away from
alkaline materials, strong bases, strong acids, oxoacids,
epoxides. Corrosive to metals.
Waste Disposal
Dump in water; add soda ash
and stir, then neutralize and flush to sewer with water.
Alternatively, zinc chloride may be recovered from spent
catalysts and used in acrylic fiber spinning solutions.
Physical properties
White crystalline powder or granules; hygroscopic; density 2.907 g/cm3; melts at 290°C; vaporizes at 732°C; vapor pressure 1 torr at 428°C and 20 torrat 536°C; highly soluble in water, 432 g/100mL at 25°C; aqueous solution acidic in litmus test; also soluble in ethanol, glycerol, and acetone.
Definition
ChEBI: A compound of zinc and chloride ions in the ratio 1:2. It exists in four crystalline forms, in each of which the Zn2+ ions are trigonal planar coordinated to four chloride ions.
Definition
zinc chloride: A white crystalline compound, ZnCl2. The anhydrous salt, which is deliquescent, can be made by the action of hydrogen chloride gas on hot zinc; r.d. 2.9; m.p. 283°C; b.p. 732°C. It has a relatively low melting point and sublimes easily, indicating that it is a molecular compound rather than ionic. Various hydrates also exist. Zinc chloride is used as a catalyst, dehydrating agent, and Ûux for hard solder. It was once known as butter of zinc.
Hazard
Inhalation of zinc chloride fumes can injure lungs and respiratory tract. Dusts or fumes also cause dermatitis, boils, conjunctivitis, and gastrointestinal tract upset (Lewis(Sr), R.J. 1996. Sax’s Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials, 9th ed. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold). LD50 oral (rat): 350mg/kg LCLO (inhalation): 1.960 g/m3/10 min.
Purification Methods
The anhydrous material can be sublimed under a stream of dry HCl, followed by heating to 400o in a stream of dry N2. It sublimes at high vacuum. Also purify it by refluxing (50g) in dioxane (400mL) with 5g zinc dust, filtering hot and cooling to precipitate ZnCl2. Crystallise it from dioxane and store it in a desiccator over P2O5. It has also been dried by refluxing in thionyl chloride. [Weberg et al. J Am Chem Soc 108 6242 1986.] Hygroscopic: minimal exposure to the atmosphere is necessary. [Wagenknecht & Juza Handbook of Preparative Inorganic Chemistry (Ed. Brauer) Academic Press Vol II p 1070 1965.]
