Zirconium(IV) hydroxide
Encyclopedia
Zirconium hydroxide is often called hydrous zirconia. It has an indeterminate chemical formula often described as ZrO2.nH2O. The formula ZrO2.2H2O being written as Zr(OH)4 gives rise to its description as a hydroxide. The compound is a toxic, amorphous
Amorphous solid
In condensed matter physics, an amorphous or non-crystalline solid is a solid that lacks the long-range order characteristic of a crystal....

 white powder which is insoluble in water, but is soluble in dilute mineral acid
Mineral acid
A mineral acid is an acid derived from one or more inorganic compounds. A mineral acid is not organic and all mineral acids release hydrogen ions when dissolved in water.-Characteristics:...

s.

Uses

It is primarily used as in intermediate for the manufacture of zirconium compounds. It is also used in pigments, glass
Glass
Glass is an amorphous solid material. Glasses are typically brittle and optically transparent.The most familiar type of glass, used for centuries in windows and drinking vessels, is soda-lime glass, composed of about 75% silica plus Na2O, CaO, and several minor additives...

 and dye
Dye
A dye is a colored substance that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is being applied. The dye is generally applied in an aqueous solution, and requires a mordant to improve the fastness of the dye on the fiber....

s.

Preparation

Zirconium nitrate is prepared by reacting nitric acid
Nitric acid
Nitric acid , also known as aqua fortis and spirit of nitre, is a highly corrosive and toxic strong acid.Colorless when pure, older samples tend to acquire a yellow cast due to the accumulation of oxides of nitrogen. If the solution contains more than 86% nitric acid, it is referred to as fuming...

 with zirconium oxide:
ZrO2 + 4HNO3 → Zr(NO3)4 + 2H2O


The compound is crystallized as pentahydrate following evaporation
Evaporation
Evaporation is a type of vaporization of a liquid that occurs only on the surface of a liquid. The other type of vaporization is boiling, which, instead, occurs on the entire mass of the liquid....

to dryness.
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