Question

Write the equation for the following reaction:
Zinc oxide is treated with sodium hydroxide solution.

Answer 1

Zinc oxide (white) reacts with sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) solution to form soluble, colourless solution of sodium zincate.

$$\begin{gathered} \mathrm{ZnO}+2\mathrm{NaOH}\stackrel{}{\to }{\mathrm{Na}}_2{\mathrm{ZnO}}_2+{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O} \\ \mathrm{Zinc}\mathrm{Oxide}\mathrm{Sodium}\mathrm{Sodium}\mathrm{Zincate}\mathrm{Water} \\ \left(\mathrm{White}\right)\mathrm{hydroxide}(\mathrm{colourless},\mathrm{soluble}) \end{gathered}$$