Does zinc react with sodium hydroxide?

1 Answer
Jun 11, 2017

Yes to form the zincate, #[Zn(OH)_4]^(2-)#

Explanation:

#Zn+4HO^(-) rarr [Zn(OH)_4]^(2-)+2e^(-)#

And since zinc is oxidized, something must be reduced........

#H_2O+e^(-) rarr 1/2H_2(g) + HO^-#

Overall,.............

#Zn(s)+2HO^(-) + 2H_2O(l)rarr [Zn(OH)_4]^(2-)+H_2(g)#

which is balanced with respect to mass and charge, as required.