zinc sulfate

Zinc sulfate
IUPAC name	Zinc sulfate
Other names	White vitriol Goslarite
Identifiers
CAS number	7733-02-0 Y, 7446-19-7 (monohydrate) 13986-24-8 (hexahydrate) 7446-20-0 (heptahydrate)
PubChem	24424
EC number	231-793-3
UN number	3077
RTECS number	ZH5260000
Properties
Molecular formula	ZnSO4
Molar mass	161.47 g/mol (anhydrous) 179.47 g/mol (monohydrate) 287.53 g/mol (heptahydrate)
Appearance	white powder
Odor	odorless
Density	3.54 g/cm3 (anhydrous) 2.072 g/cm3 (hexahydrate)
Melting point	680 ºC decomp. (anhydrous) 100 °C (heptahydrate) 70 °C, decomp (hexahydrate)
Boiling point	740 °C (anhydrous) 280 °C, decomp (heptahydrate)
Solubility in water	22 g/100 ml, anhydrous (20 ºC) 96.5 g/100mL, heptahydrate (20 °C)
Solubility	anhydrous: soluble in methanol, glycerol heptahydrate: 40 g/100 mL, glycerol insoluble in alcohol
Refractive index (nD)	1.658 (anhydrous) 1.4357 (heptahydrate)
Hazards
MSDS	ICSC 1698
EU Index	030-006-00-9
EU classification	Harmful (Xn) Dangerous for the environment (N)
R-phrases	R22, R41, R50/53
S-phrases	(S2), S22, S26, S39, S46, S60, S61
Flash point	Non-flammable
Related compounds
Other cations	Cadmium sulfate
Related compounds	Copper(II) sulfate
Y (what is this?)  (verify) Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa)
Infobox references

Zinc sulfate (ZnSO₄) is a colorless crystalline, water-soluble chemical compound. The hydrated form, ZnSO₄·7H₂O, the mineral goslarite, was historically known as "white vitriol" and can be prepared by reacting zinc with aqueous sulfuric acid. It may also be prepared by adding solid zinc to a copper(II) sulfate solution.

Zn + CuSO₄ → ZnSO₄ + Cu

It is used to supply zinc in animal feeds, fertilizers, and agricultural sprays. ZnSO₄·7H₂O is used in making lithopone, in coagulation baths for rayon, in electrolytes for zinc plating, as a mordant in dyeing, as a preservative for skins and leather and in medicine as an astringent and emetic. ^{[1] [2] [3]}

Another natural form of this heptahydrate is known as mineral Zinc-melanterite (Zn,Cu,Fe)SO₄·7H₂O (structurally different from goslarite). Lower hydrates of zinc sulfate are rarely found in nature as minerals: bianchite (Zn,Fe)SO₄·6H₂O, boyleite (Zn,Mg)SO₄·4H₂O and gunningite (Zn,Mn)SO₄·H₂O.

An aqueous solution of zinc sulfate is claimed to be effective at removing moss from roofs. Spraying a mixture on moss will allow the wind to simply blow off the remaining debris, however it is not recommended for use on lawns as it is as effective at removing grass. ^[4] Zinc sulfate was once used in home acne remedies.

References

1. ^ "ICSC (International Chemical Safety Cards) 1698 ZINC SULFATE". Centers for Disease Control. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/ipcsneng/neng1698.html. 
2. ^ "Burns, Gilbert's, Parasites, Stomatitis, Trichomoniasis, ...". National Institutes of Health. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/patient-zinc.html. 
3. ^ "CAMEO Chemical data sheet for ZINC SULFATE". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. http://cameochemicals.noaa.gov/chemical/4826. 
4. ^ From [1] "If zinc sulfate comes into contact with neighboring plants, damage may occur. Plants and shrubbery should be draped when this chemical is being used."

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