Amalgamated zinc
Amalgamated zinc is zinc that has been surface treated with mercury to form a surface amalgam containing little contamination from other elements. It is typically used for reduction, and is written as Zn(Hg) in reactions.
Applications
[edit]- Used from ~1837 to reduce 'local action' which degraded operation of Voltaic piles. See History of the battery#Invention.
- To chemically reduce metallic ions in solution. See Jones reductor.
- To reduce ketones and aldehydes to alkanes via the Clemmensen reduction in acidic conditions.
References
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