What kind of salt (acidic or basic) is #Zn(CH_3COO)_2# solution?

1 Answer
Lovecraft
Apr 23, 2016

Basic

Explanation:

This solution, when in water will have the following equilibrium:

#Zn(CH_3COO)_2 + 6H_2O rarr Zn(H_2O)_6^(+2) + 2CH_3COO^(-)#

While that aqua-ion (the complex of the metallic ion with the water) can cause a mild hydrolysis liberating protons, the main acid-base equilibrium here is the one that acetate #CH_3COO^(-)# does, you see, it's a base, which means that in aqueous solution it undergoes this equilibrium:

#CH_3COO^(-) + H_2O harr CH_3COOH + OH^(-)#

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