Tetrachlorozincate

Tetrachlorozincate is an anion with the formula [ZnCl₄]²⁻. It is a counterion that is often used in conjunction with strong electrophiles. Being dianionic, tetrachlorozincate is not classified as a weakly coordinating anion. On the other hand, being dianionic, tetrachlorozincate facilitates the crystallization of many salts. It has a tetrahedral molecular geometry. A simple example is [NH₄]₂[ZnCl₄] (ammonium tetrachlorozincate).^[1] Zincates are anionic zinc complexes.

Tetrachlorozincate

Identifiers
CAS Number	15201-05-5 N[EPA]
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChEBI	CHEBI:88170
ChemSpider	55645
PubChem CID	61755
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID801015719
InChI InChI=1S/4ClH.Zn/h4*1H;/q;;;;+2/p-4 Key: PZVVXRYHDITUNJ-UHFFFAOYSA-J
SMILES Cl[Zn-2](Cl)(Cl)Cl
Properties
Chemical formula	[ZnCl4]2−
Molar mass	207.18 g·mol−1
Related compounds
Other anions	Tetrafluorozincate
Other cations	Tetrachlorocuprate Tetrachloronickelate
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). Infobox references

Related to the preparation of Lucas' reagent, tetrachlorozincates are often generated by combining hydrochloric acid and zinc chloride.

A related anion is [Zn₂Cl₆]²⁻, in which again Zn(II) adopts a tetrahedral geometry.^[2]

Portion of the crystal structure of the salt hexaacetonitrilenickel(II) tetrachlorozincate ([Ni(CH₃CN)₆]²⁺[ZnCl₄]²⁻).^[3]

The structure of [Zn₂Cl₆]²⁻.

References

1. F. Wagenknecht; R. Juza (1963). "Ammonium Tetrachlorozincate". In G. Brauer (ed.). Handbook of Preparative Inorganic Chemistry, 2nd Ed. Vol. 1. New York, NY: Academic Press. p. 1072.
2. F. A. Cotton; S.A.Duraj; W.J. Roth (1985). "Two Compounds Containing the Tris(μ-chloro)hexakis(tetrahydrofuran)divanadium(II) Cation. Preparation, Structures, and Spectroscopic Characterization". Inorg. Chem. 24 (6): 913. doi:10.1021/ic00200a023.
3. I. Sotofte; R. G. Hazell; S. E. Rasmussen (1976). "Hexaacetonitrilenickel(II) tetrachlorozincate. A crystal structure with serious overlap in the Patterson function". Acta Crystallographica Section B. 32 (6): 1692–1696. Bibcode:1976AcCrB..32.1692S. doi:10.1107/S0567740876006249. S2CID 93657757.