Chemistry Properties of Zinc

Zinc is reasonably resistant to corrosion and is used as a covering for baser metals like iron ("galvanizing"). Zinc can be readily cast or molded. Zinc has many unique characteristics. For example, its vapor burns in air with a green flame, forming zinc oxide. Zinc oxide is a common zinc compound that is used in paints, cosmetics, plastics and more. Metallic zinc reacts with weak acids very slowly. Sulfur has a strong affinity for zinc. When heated, the two powders react explosively to form zinc sulfide. Zinc sulfide is used to make television screens and fluorescent light bulbs.

Zinc also reacts with halogens. However, as the electronegativity decreases among the halogen group, the reactivity with zinc decreases. Thus, the most electronegative of the halogens (Fluorine) reacts with zinc violently, while the less electronegative halogen (Iodine) only generates a small amount of heat. Interestingly, properties of zinc are strongly affected by impurities such as lead, cadmium and iron. Also, zinc is most often used as a reducing agent in chemical reactions and it forms complex ions with ammonia and cyanide ions.