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Synthesis of Zinc Iodide Revisited

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Stephen DeMeo

Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Department of Chemistry, Hunter College of the City University of New York, New York, NY 10021

J. Chem. Educ., 2003, 80 (7), p 796

DOI: 10.1021/ed080p796

Publication Date (Web): July 1, 2003

Section:

History, Education, and Documentation

Abstract

Two inquiry-based labs that complement a previously published activity in this Journal, "The Synthesis and Decomposition of Zinc Iodide: Model Reactions for Investigating Chemical Change in the Introductory Laboratory", are described. These two experiments could be of interest to introductory chemistry instructors at the college or high school level who teach their students about limiting and excess stoichiometry as well as acid–base chemistry. The inquiry-based experiments center on alternate reaction pathways involving a second synthesis of zinc iodide and a side reaction that produces zinc hydroxide. In the first experiment, students draw upon their understanding of solubility and molarity to propose a synthesis of zinc iodide from a double replacement reaction involving zinc sulfate and barium iodide. Students compare the double replacement reaction with the elemental synthesis in terms of percentage yield, efficiency, safety, and cost. In the second experiment, students are asked to identify a white precipitate that forms during a synthesis of zinc iodide from its elements when a specific reagent, acetic acid, is not used. By referring to the literature and conducting qualitative tests, students determine that the white product is zinc hydroxide, a base produced from the hydrolysis of zinc ion.

Keywords (Audience):

High School / Introductory Chemistry

Keywords (Domain):

Inorganic Chemistry

Keywords (Pedagogy):

Inquiry-Based / Discovery Learning

Keywords (Subject):

Qualitative Analysis

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This article has been cited by 1 ACS Journal articles (1 most recent appear below).

Teaching Lab Report Writing through Inquiry: A Green Chemistry Stoichiometry Experiment for General Chemistry
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- Teaching Lab Report Writing through Inquiry: A Green Chemistry Stoichiometry Experiment for General Chemistry
  Kristen L. Cacciatore , Hannah Sevian
  Journal of Chemical Education2006 83 (7), 1039
  We present an alternative to a traditional first-year chemistry laboratory experiment. This experiment has four key features: students utilize stoichiometry, learn and apply principles of green chemistry, engage in authentic scientific inquiry, and ...
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