Talk:Zinc chloride/GA1

GA Review

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Nominator: Keresluna (talk · contribs) 18:32, 9 May 2024 (UTC)

Reviewer: Esculenta (talk · contribs) 17:10, 15 June 2024 (UTC)

I'll review this. Comments in a day or two. Esculenta (talk) 17:10, 15 June 2024 (UTC)

Unfortunately, this article is still quite a ways from meeting the GA criteria, and the "citation needed" and "additional citation(s) needed" tags (which really should have been dealt with before this nomination) mean this article should be quickfailed. In additional to the two current cleanup tags, I've added a few more tags where citations are needed. I'm also appending some additional comments suggesting other areas for article improvement. Esculenta (talk) 17:52, 15 June 2024 (UTC)

• The lead is too short to adequately summarize the article's contents; see WP:Lead for guidance.
• Organization and Flow: The article could benefit from better organization. Some sections, like the detailed descriptions of zinc chloride's forms and hydrates, could be streamlined to improve readability.
• Redundancy: There are instances of redundancy, particularly in the sections describing the structure and reactions of zinc chloride.
• Additional Context: While the article provides extensive chemical details, adding more context about the industrial and practical applications of zinc chloride could make it more engaging. For instance, discussing specific industries that rely heavily on zinc chloride and providing real-world examples of its use could enhance the article's relevance. Some uses are already briefly mentioned, here's some additional ideas:

• Textile Industry: Detail specific processes in the textile industry that benefit from zinc chloride. For example,

Rayon Production: Concentrated solutions of zinc chloride are used to dissolve cellulose in the production of rayon, a regenerated cellulose fiber. This process involves forming a viscous solution of cellulose in zinc chloride, which is then extruded to produce rayon fibers.

Dyeing Processes: As a mordant, zinc chloride helps fix dyes onto fabrics, ensuring more vibrant and long-lasting colors. It prepares the fabric for dyeing by enhancing the bonding of dyes to the textile fibers.

Silk Processing: In the degumming process of silk, zinc chloride is used to remove sericin, the protein that coats silk fibers. This results in softer and more lustrous silk, improving its texture and appearance.

• Paper Industry: In the paper industry, zinc chloride is used in the manufacture of parchment paper. The compound reacts with cellulose in the paper to form a gelatinous film, giving parchment paper its characteristic strength and translucency.
• Chemical Synthesis:

Industrial Scale Reactions: Provide more real-world examples of industrial-scale reactions that use zinc chloride, such as the production of acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) where it acts as a catalyst.

• Water Treatment: Expand on how zinc chloride is used in water treatment, specifically in removing impurities and heavy metals. Explain the mechanisms by which it acts as a coagulant or flocculant.
• Pharmaceutical Industry: Mention specific drugs or types of pharmaceuticals that are synthesized using zinc chloride as a reagent or catalyst, providing insight into its role in medicinal chemistry.
• Fireproofing and Wood Preservation: Elaborate on both historical and modern uses of zinc chloride in fireproofing and wood preservation. Discuss its effectiveness compared to other methods and any environmental considerations.

• What about its environmental impact? Is there any published info about the environmental impact of zinc chloride use and disposal? Highlight any regulations or best practices for minimizing its environmental footprint. Discuss the measures taken to mitigate any negative environmental impacts, such as waste treatment processes or alternative, more eco-friendly applications.
• History. The history of zinc chloride is a glaring omission in the current Wikipedia article. Some suggestions:

Ancient and Medieval Periods:

Early Uses: The use of zinc compounds can be traced back to ancient civilizations, but specific references to zinc chloride are scarce. However, its antiseptic and preservative properties were likely recognized even if the compound wasn't precisely identified.

Alchemical Studies: During the medieval period, alchemists might have encountered zinc chloride while experimenting with zinc and hydrochloric acid, although they did not understand the chemical composition by modern standards.

18th and 19th Centuries:

Scientific Identification: In the 18th century, advancements in chemistry led to a better understanding of chemical compounds. Zinc chloride was identified as a distinct compound, and its properties began to be studied systematically.

Industrial Applications: By the 19th century, zinc chloride found significant industrial applications. For instance, Sir William Burnett, a British physician, promoted its use as a disinfectant and wood preservative in the 1830s and 1840s. His "Burnett's Disinfecting Fluid" was widely used for its effectiveness in controlling infections and preserving materials. (see e.g., here). This is discussed in "Other uses", but might be more effectively integrated into a history section.

Fireproofing and Textile Industry: In the mid-1800s, zinc chloride solutions were used for fireproofing fabrics and processing textiles. This period marked the compound’s entry into industrial manufacturing and public health.

20th Century to Present:

Expansion of Uses: The 20th century saw an expansion of zinc chloride applications, including its use in organic synthesis, metallurgy, and as a catalyst in chemical reactions. Its role in preparing other zinc compounds and its utility in laboratory reagents became well-established.

Modern Developments: In recent decades, research into the compound's applications in nanotechnology, materials science, and environmental science has continued to grow. Zinc chloride remains a valuable chemical in both industrial processes and academic research.

Other comments:

• in the Chembox, why are the CAS #'s for Tetrahydrate and Mixed hydrate marked with a red "x"?
• The Standard InChI and InChIKey provided in the Chembox appear to be duplicated

Response: The FA review is well done and points out some real gaps, especially related to applications and format. The review highlights some conflict between FA and usefulness. Chemists are mindful that much old literature exists for many compounds. We just dont care. Most of that work is flawed and useless. On top of that, retrieving that old literature and representing it well is time consuming. --Smokefoot (talk) 13:31, 16 June 2024 (UTC)