Amalgamated zinc

Alloy of mercury and zinc

Amalgamated zinc is zinc that has been surface treated with mercury to form a surface amalgam containing little contamination from other elements. It is typically used for reduction, and is written as Zn(Hg) in reactions.

Applications

  • Used from ~1837 to reduce 'local action' which degraded operation of Voltaic piles. See History of the battery#Invention.
  • To chemically reduce metallic ions in solution. See Jones reductor.
  • To reduce ketones and aldehydes to alkanes via the Clemmensen reduction in acidic conditions.

References


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