Substance profile
Zinc Chloride
Zinc Chloride is white, very deliquesce granules, or fused pieces or rods and is odorless.
01 · Identification
What Zinc Chloride is
Zinc Chloride is white, very deliquesce granules, or fused pieces or rods and is odorless. Its molecular formula is Cl2Zn and its molecular weight is 136.3 g/mol. It boils at 732 °C, melts at 290 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as corrosives.
02 · GHS classification
Hazards and label elements
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H302 | Harmful if swallowed. |
| H314 | Causes severe skin burns and eye damage. |
| H400 | Very toxic to aquatic life. |
| H410 | Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects. |
Precautionary statements: P260, P270, P273, P280, P301, P310, P312, P330, P331, P391, P501
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Zinc Chloride properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 732 °C (1349.6 °F) | HSDB | |
| 732.22 °C (1350 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| 732.22 °C (1350 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| Melting point | 290 °C (554 °F) | NIOSH | |
| 282.78 °C (541 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| Density | 2.907 g/cm³ | at 25 °C | HSDB |
| 2.91 g/cm³ | at 25 °C | CAMEO | |
| Solubility | 1 gram dissolves in 0.25 mL 2% hydrochloric acid, 1.3 mL alcohol, 2 mL glycerol; freely soluble in acetone | HSDB | |
| 434.599 lb/100 lb water at 70 °F | at 21.11 °C | HSDB | |
| 432 g/100 g water at 25 °C; 614 g/100 g water at 100 °C | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Vapor pressure | 0 mmHg | approx | NIOSH |
| Autoignition temperature | Not flammable (USCG, 1999) | CAMEO | |
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | Noncombustible Solid | NIOSH | |
| Corrosivity | Fume corrosive to metals | zinc chloride fumes | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Zinc Chloride
Storage conditions
Store below 40 °C (104 °F), preferably between 15 and 30 °C (59 and 86 °F), unless otherwise specified by manufacturer. Protect from freezing. /Zinc supplements/
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
A mixture of potassium and ... /zinc chloride/ produces a strong explosion on impact ...
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
When dissolved in water, ZINC CHLORIDE is a strong acid [Handling Chemicals Safely 1980. p. 964].
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Zinc Chloride in the storage compatibility matrix →