In the following reactions, ZnO is respectively acting as a /an ?

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1 Answer
Mar 28, 2018

"Na"_2"O" is a good base, e.g.

"Na"_2"O"(aq) -> 2"Na"^(+)(aq) + "O"^(2-)(aq),

since "O"^(2-) is the conjugate base of the strong base "OH"^(-). So, "ZnO" must be acting as an acid in the first reaction.

The second reaction is the reverse of a carbonate decomposition. Also, "CO"_2 is a nice Lewis acid; it has an antibonding orbital on the carbon that can accept electron density from the partially negative "O" on "ZnO", so "ZnO" must be a base in this reaction.

In fact, "ZnO" is a common amphoteric oxide.