please explain why Na2ZnO2 forms when 2NaOH reacts with Zn????
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please explain why Na2ZnO2 forms when 2NaOH reacts with Zn????
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Zn is lower than Na in activity series of metals, so the following reaction won't take place : Zn+2NaOH → Zn(OH)2+2Na
Remember, however, that Znis amphoteric, so it can reacts with a strong base such as NaOH as an acid forming sodium zincate.
Zn+2H2O+2NaOH⟶Na2Zn(OH)4+H2
The point is that Zn does not react as an acid in the reaction above since the reaction is not an acid-base one, but rather oxidation-reduction. So, the answer then is that Zn reacts with aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide because it can be oxidized in these condition in accordance with the reaction mentioned.
Something like this:Zn + 2 NaOH > Zn(OH)2 + 2Na2 Zn(OH)2 + 2 NaOH > Na2ZnO2 + 3H2OAnd it certainly is an endothermic reaction.