ZnSO4 Structure & Characteristics (15 Important Facts)

ZnSO₄ is an inorganic salt also called zinc sulphate. Its molar mass is 161.47 g/mol. Let us describe some more facts about the ZnSO₄ structure.

Generally, ZnSO₄ occurs in heptahydrate form i.e., ZnSO₄.7H₂O. A colorless solid called white vitriol is formed by dissolving zinc, zinc oxide or zinc hydroxide in dilute H₂SO₄. It is an odorless white crystalline anhydrous solid.

ZnSO₄ is an ionic compound formed by Zn²⁺ and SO₄^2- ions in 1:1 stichometry. It shows a tetrahedral arrangement of Zn²⁺ and SO₄^2- ions. Let us determine the other facts like hybridization, lone pair, and valence electrons of ZnSO₄.

How to draw ZnSO₄ structure?

ZnSO₄ is an ionic inorganic compound. which is made up of Zn²⁺ cation and SO₄^2- anion. This molecule forms an ionic bond between the cation and anion.

ZnSO₄ molecule contains positively charge cation i.e., Zn²⁺ and negatively charge anion i.e., SO₄^2-. The cations +2 charge and anions -2 charge cancel with each other hence total charge on ZnSO₄ should be zero.

An ionic bond is formed between Zn²⁺ and SO₄^2- ions. In SO₄^2- anion central atom is sulphur surrounded by 4 oxygen atom and zinc metal has +2 charge on it.

ZnSO₄ structure shape

The structural shape of any molecule depends upon the arrangement of all the atoms present in the molecule. Let us describe the shape of ZnSO₄.

The structural shape of ZnSO₄ is tetrahedral. The central sulphur atom is surrounded by 4 oxygen atoms which are tetrahedrally placed around the sulphur atom. The tetrahedral shape of ZnSO₄ is due to the tetrahedral shape of SO₄^2- ions.

The shape of the molecule is determined by the VSEPR theory. According to this theory, the molecule has AX4 type and there are no lone pairs on the central atom then it shows a tetrahedral shape.

ZnSO₄ structure angle

The structural angle is made by the central atom and its surrounding bonded atoms. Which shows the proper orientation of the molecule. Let us calculate the angle in ZnSO₄.

The ZnSO₄ structure has a 109.5-degree bond angle. Due to the tetrahedral shape and AX4 type of ZnSO₄. The central sulphur atom is bonded with 4 oxygen atom and form a bond angle O-S-O is 109.5 degree.

ZnSO₄ lone pairs

The lone pair of electrons are outermost orbital electrons which do not form a bond between the atoms present in the molecule. Let us see the lone pairs in ZnSO₄.

ZnSO₄ has 12 lone pairs of electrons. Zn has no lone pair of electrons because it loses 2 electrons hence it has Zn²⁺ ion. The SO₄^2- ions gain 2 electrons from zinc metal it has 32 electrons out of them 8 electrons form bond pairs between O and S atom.

ZnSO₄ has 4 O-S bonds which are formed by 8 valence electrons. The remaining 24 electrons form lone pairs on 4 oxygen atoms of SO₄ ion. Thus, it has 3 lone pairs on each O atom. Hence in ZnSO₄ 12 lone pairs are present on SO₄ ion only.

ZnSO₄ valence electrons

Valence electrons are present in the outermost orbital of the atom which can accept or donate electrons. Let us calculate the valence electrons in ZnSO₄. 

ZnSO₄ has a total of 32 valence electrons. Zn atom is placed in the 12^th group of the periodic table and has 2 valence electrons. while S and O are placed in the 16^th group of the periodic table hence both of them have 6 valence electrons.

• The total valence electrons of ZnSO₄ are as follows.
• Valence electrons of Zn in ZnSO₄ = 2
• Valence electrons of S in ZnSO₄ = 6
• Valence electrons of 4 O in ZnSO₄ = 6×4 = 24
• Total valence electrons of ZnSO₄ = 2+6+24 = 32

ZnSO₄ structure hybridization

Hybridization is a process of mixing atomic orbitals to form a new hybrid orbital. Let us describe the hybridization of ZnSO₄.

ZnSO₄ structure shows sp3 hybridization of the central sulphur atom. The hybridization is decided on the basis of the steric number. The steric no. of S = No. of bonds on S atom – lone pair on S atom = 4-0 =4.

According to VSEPR theory the 4 steric no. shows sp3 hybridization with tetrahedral geometry. In ZnSO₄ the one s orbital overlaps with the 3p orbital to form the sp3 hybrid orbital.

Properties of ZnSO₄

The properties of ZnSO₄ are as follows

ZnSO₄ solubility

Solubility of any compound depends upon the ability of solute to dissolve in solvent and dissociates into ion. Let us see the solubility of ZnSO₄.

ZnSO₄ is dissolve in water. when it dissolves in water it dissociates into Zn²⁺ and SO₄^2- ions.  The hydration energy of ZnSO₄ is very high. Also, the Zn²⁺ ion and SO₄^2- ion are loosely bound. Hence when they dissolve in water dissociates completely.

ZnSO₄ is also soluble in following solvent.

• Alcohol
• Acid HNO₃

Is ZnSO₄ solid or liquid?  

In solid molecule atoms are closely packed with each other. While in liquid atoms are loosely bound. Let us see ZnSO₄ is solid or liquid.   

ZnSO₄ is solid molecule. In which Zn, S and O atoms are closely pack with each other. Their kinetic energy is also low.

Is ZnSO₄ polar or nonpolar?

Polarity depends upon the charge distribution and electronegativity difference between the atoms in the molecule. Let us discuss whether ZnSO₄ is polar or non-polar.

ZnSO₄ is polar in nature. It is an ionic molecule which contain nonpolar SO₄^2- anion. This SO₄^2- anion attached with Zn²⁺ cation which make ZnSO₄ polar in nature. Also, the sulphur is more electronegative than zinc. Electronegative difference between them is 0.93. by Pauling scale this value comes under polar nature.

Both the SO₄^2- anion and Zn²⁺ cation has an unequal distribution of electrons. Therefore, the dipole moment creates between them due to partial positive and partial negative charge.

Is ZnSO₄ acid or base or salt?

Acids are the species which can donate proton and bases are the proton acceptor. Let us see ZnSO₄ is acid, base or salt.

ZnSO₄ is the salt. It is form by the reaction of Zn²⁺ metal and SO₄^2- ion also it is a reaction of Zinc hydroxide and sulphuric acid to form ZnSO₄ salt. Zn and SO₄ ion have +2 and -2 charge on itself respectively. Both the opposite charges are cancelled with each other and form ZnSO₄ molecule.

Zn (OH)₂ + H₂SO₄ → ZnSO₄ + 2H₂O

Is ZnSO₄ electrolyte?

Electrolytes are the compound when dissolve in water it gets dissociates into cation and anion and these ions carry electricity. Let us find out ZnSO₄ is electrolyte or not.

ZnSO₄ act as an electrolyte. When they dissolve in water or solvent it gets dissociates into Zn²⁺ and SO₄^2- ion these ions carry electricity hence they are act like an electrolyte. ZnSO₄ is not easily dissociates into water.

It has more lattice energy hence it requires more heat energy to dissolve in water and then converted into Zn²⁺ and SO₄^2- ions which carry electricity.

Is ZnSO₄ ionic or covalent?

Ionic compound is formed by the electrostatic force of attraction, while covalent compound is form by the strong sigma bond of attraction. Let us see ZnSO₄ is ionic or covalent.

ZnSO₄ is an ionic compound. This compound is form by the Zn²⁺ cation and SO₄^2- anion by the strong electrostatic force of attraction and form strong ionic bond between them. Hence ZnSO₄ shows ionic character and is not covalent.

Is ZnSO₄ inorganic compound?

Inorganic compound form by the two or more chemical combine in a definite proportion. Let us see ZnSO₄ is organic or inorganic.

ZnSO₄ is an inorganic compound. which is form by zinc and sulphate ion combine in definite proportion. In this compound carbon and hydrogen bond is not present hence not form C-H bond which always form in an organic compound.

Conclusion

ZnSO₄ structure has 32 valence electrons and 12 lone pairs. It has a tetrahedral structure with sp³ hybridization, and the bond angle is 109.5 ^o. It is a polar ionic salt. And polar inorganic water-soluble compound.

Read more about following Structure & Characteristics

Darshana Fendarkar

Hi….I am Darshana Fendarkar, I have completed my Ph.D. from the University of Nagpur. My area of specialization is Inorganic Chemistry.
I have an experience as a Chemist at Earthcare Pvt. Ltd. Also I have 2 years of experience in teaching. Currently, I am working with Lambdageek as a Subject Matter Expert.