Zinc Acetate Anhydrous: Material, Properties, and Practical Use

What is Zinc Acetate Anhydrous?

Zinc acetate anhydrous comes as a white, crystalline solid, seen mainly in the form of flakes or a fine powder. You’ll spot this chemical under the formula Zn(C2H3O2)2 across laboratory shelves and in a range of industrial storage bins. The molecular structure shows a zinc atom balanced by two acetate groups, missing water molecules, hence the name “anhydrous.” It carries a molecular weight of 183.48 g/mol. Anyone who’s handled it can tell you that the substance packs tightly in containers, giving some heft; its density stands at around 1.84 g/cm³, which fits with other metal acetates. Whether you scoop this up as a raw material, a crystalline powder, or even in small pearl-like pellets, the pure, dry nature makes it noticeably easy to weigh and dissolve for controlled experiments and processes.

Physical Properties and Forms

This zinc compound holds up under standard conditions without changing texture or breaking down. It keeps a stable, solid form at room temperature and stores securely in airtight containers, resisting caking. The crystals shine, almost glassy, yet they crush easily into finer powders, which speeds up solubility. As soon as it touches water, it dissolves with little effort and produces a clear, colorless solution—no need for heating or agitation outside an ordinary stir. The material performs across a broad temperature range, and doesn’t absorb moisture from the air as quickly as its hydrated counterparts, so keeping it dry rarely turns into a daily battle. The powder slips through funnels and balances without clumping, and the flakes spread out in trays for drying or weighing, a tangible benefit for anyone working at larger scales. You can spot the product in both labs and manufacturing spaces—solid forms for analytic work and production lines alike.

Chemical Structure and Specification

Zinc acetate anhydrous plays out a dependable chemical role, whether in reactions or as a raw ingredient. The structure includes two acetate ions locked to a central zinc, each carbonyl carbon binding snugly, leaving zinc in a divalent state. Its purity can reach 99% or higher depending on source and purification, which matters if you aim for consistent results in medical, pharmaceutical, or chemical synthesis. The colorless to slightly white aspect signals the relative lack of impurities. It blends easily into aqueous and alcoholic solutions, yielding zinc ions and acetate ions, useful for catalysts, dietary zinc supplements, or making complex materials. Specification sheets read off other key numbers—98%+ assay, low chloride and heavy metal content, and set maximum levels for lead, cadmium, and arsenic. In practice, the high-purity standard makes it suitable for research, medicine, and production of advanced materials where contaminants cause real headaches.

HS Code and Applications

For logistics and global trade, this chemical carries an HS Code: 29152990, which groups it with other acetate salts that don’t fit ordinary categories. The customs or freight declaration tags Zinc Acetate Anhydrous under this number for clear tracking across borders. People in pharmaceutical companies use it as both a direct additive and an intermediate for producing other compounds. Textile workers apply it in dyeing as a mordant, giving color better grip. Chemical researchers and engineers use it for analytical chemistry or as a zinc source in specialty syntheses. Environmental professionals deploy it for treating certain kinds of wastewater. Even some food supplement manufacturers turn to it as a source of zinc, which the human body depends on for enzymes and immunity—though always checking for food or pharma grade material, since purity becomes personal when ingredients enter the body.

Safety, Hazards, and Handling

Zinc acetate anhydrous carries a mild vinegar-like odor, but don’t let the soft scent fool you—this is a chemical that requires steady, practical habits for safe use. Direct exposure to skin or eyes causes irritation. Inhaling fine dust can prompt coughing or respiratory discomfort, so most workers stick to gloves, lab coats, and safety glasses, plus masks in powder handling areas. Ingestion leaves a metallic taste and may upset the stomach, reinforcing the point to keep this out of reach from anything edible or potable. The material scores a moderate spot on hazard charts—harmful if swallowed or inhaled, irritating to tissue, not a fire risk but not something to store with strong acids or bases. If the product contacts skin, quick washing prevents most problems; eyes may need a few minutes of rinsing. Emergency responders treat spills by scooping up powder with minimal dust and bagging it for safe disposal. Any lab or factory using this chemical trains staff to respect its risks—post safety charts, teach the routine, check that storage remains dry, well-sealed, and labeled.

Why Physics and Chemistry of Zinc Acetate Anhydrous Matter

Handling zinc acetate anhydrous every day, the real key is knowing its double edge—beneficial in the right spots, harmful if you’re careless. Zinc, by itself, participates in vital enzyme production, immune function, and plant health. In acetate form, it becomes much more flexible—dissolves in water and interacts predictably with acids, bases, and organic molecules. The anhydrous form, lacking water, doubles down on reliability and measured input for chemical reactions. Using it in a project or production run, consistency is everything—to get that, the physical and chemical baseline specifications steer the operation. From a lab perspective, easy solubility and stable storage cut down on delays, but without diligent weighing and safe transfer, the risk of spillage or accidental exposure sits just around the corner. Chemistry workers and industrial staff who respect the raw facts—solid, clear, dense, soluble, moderate hazard—use it well, keeping people safe while delivering on medical, technical, or commercial goals.