Potassium Hydroxide → Potassium ZINC gluconate

Participants

Reaction Steps

In a suitable reaction vessel, 120 grams of zinc gluconate was suspended in 300 ml of water, and the suspension was stirred mechanically. 14 grams of potassium hydroxide was added to the mixture. The result was a clear solution, which when diluted to 400 ml produced a 30% solution of potassium zinc gluconate, based on the weight of zinc gluconate used. The solution, which had a pH of 7, was evaporated under gentle heat in a suitable vessel to obtain the solid zinc complex. The powdered material was odorless and very soluble in water. When a small amount of the solid product was heated in a bunsen burner flame on a piece of platinum foil it melted, then carbonized, and finally decomposed to a white residue of zinc oxide.

Provenance & Evidence