Chemical Properties
used in zinc plating and as a mordant [KIR84]
Definition
ChEBI: A metal sulfate compound having zinc(2+) as the counterion.
General Description
Anhydrous ZINC SULFATE(7733-02-0) is a colorless crystalline solid. ZINC SULFATE(7733-02-0) is also obtained as a hexahydrate, ZnSO4.6H2O, and as a heptahydrate ZnSO4.7H2O. All forms are soluble in water. All are noncombustible. The primary hazard is the threat posed to the environment. Immediate steps should be taken to limit its spread to the environment. ZINC SULFATE(7733-02-0) is used in the production of rayon, as a feed supplement, and as a fertilizer ingredient.
Reactivity Profile
Acidic salts, such as ZINC SULFATE, 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
Water soluble. Efflorescent in air. Aqueous solutions are acidic.
Health Hazard
Inhalation of dust causes irritation of nose and throat. Ingestion can cause irritation or corrosion of the alimentary tract. Contact with eyes or skin causes irritation.
Physical properties
The anhydrous sulfate is a colorless rhombohedral crystalline solid; refractive index 1.658; density 3.54 g/cm3; decomposes at 600°C; soluble in water, methanol, and glycerol.
The heptahydrate, ZnSO4?7H2O, is a colorless crystalline solid; metallic taste; rhombohedral crystals; effloresces; refractive index 1.457; density 1.957 g/cm3 at 25°C; melts at 100°C; loses all its water molecules at 280°C; decomposes above 500°C; very soluble in water, 96.5 g/100mL at 20°C; soluble in glycerol, 40 g/100 mL; insoluble in alcohol
The hexahydrate, ZnSO4?6H2O constitutes colorless monoclinic or tetragonal crystals; density 2.072 g/cm3at 15°C; loses five water molecules at 70°C; soluble in water.
Purification Methods
Crystallise it from aqueous EtOH or dilute H2SO4 below 39o when it forms the heptahydrate, and between 39o and 70o it forms the hexahydrate, and above 70o the monohydrate is stable. The anhydrous salt is obtained from the hydrates by heating at 280o or lower temperatures in a current of dry air. It decomposes to ZnO and SO2 at 767o. The solubility of the heptahydrate in H2O is 5.88% at 0o, 61.92% at 30o, 66.61% at 35o and 70.05% at 39o.
Agricultural Uses
White vitriol is another name for zinc sulphate
heptahydrate, and is a commonly used zinc salt. It is
widely used as a fertilizer for overcoming zinc
deficiency.
Agricultural Uses
Zinc sulphate is a white, crystalline, water-soluble
compound made by heating zinc sulphide ore
in air and dissolving the sulphate formed, and
crystallizing it.
Zinc sulphate is the most common zinc salt (about
35% of zinc) used for preventing zinc deficiency in
plants. It is sprayed on the foliage as a water solution or
added in large quantities directly to the soil.
Industrial uses
Ferro sulfate (FeSO4·7H2O) is a crystalline substance greenish in color, with a specific
gravity of 1.899. Ferro sulfate is obtained from various solutions using a vacuum crystallization
method. Ferro sulfate has been used as a depressant and co-depressant in
the following applications: (a) depression of sphalerite together with cyanide ,
(b) depression of fine molybdenite also with cyanide, and (c) in copper/lead separation
using a method, based on copper depression by cyanide.
Biochem/physiol Actions
Zinc sulfate?solution is as potent as formalin. This chemical is mainly used to treat footrot. It may also be used to treat acute bronchiolitis.
