Zinc oxide EUROPEAN PHARMACOPOEIA 11.

01/2022:0252 07/2021:0306

ZINC OXIDE ZINC STEARATE

Zinci oxidum Zinci stearas

ZnO Mr 81.4 [557-05-1]

[1314-13-2]
DEFINITION
DEFINITION Zinc stearate [(C17H35COO)2Zn ; Mr 632] may contain varying
Content : 99.0 per cent to 100.5 per cent (ignited substance). proportions of zinc palmitate [(C15H31COO)2Zn ; Mr 576.2]
and zinc oleate [(C17H33COO)2Zn ; Mr 628].
CHARACTERS Content : 10.0 per cent to 12.0 per cent of Zn.
Appearance : soft, white or faintly yellowish-white, amorphous
CHARACTERS
powder, free from gritty particles.
Appearance : light, white or almost white, amorphous powder,
Solubility : practically insoluble in water and in ethanol (96 per free from gritty particles.
cent). It dissolves in dilute mineral acids.
Solubility : practically insoluble in water and in anhydrous
IDENTIFICATION ethanol.

A. It becomes yellow when strongly heated ; the yellow colour IDENTIFICATION

disappears on cooling.
A. Freezing point (2.2.18) : minimum 53 °C, determined on
B. Dissolve 0.1 g in 1.5 mL of dilute hydrochloric acid R and the residue obtained in the preparation of solution S (see
dilute to 5 mL with water R. The solution gives the reaction Tests).
of zinc (2.3.1).
B. Neutralise 5 mL of solution S to red litmus paper R with
strong sodium hydroxide solution R. The solution gives the
TESTS reaction of zinc (2.3.1).
Alkalinity. Shake 1.0 g with 10 mL of boiling water R. Add
0.1 mL of phenolphthalein solution R and filter. If the filtrate TESTS
is red, not more than 0.3 mL of 0.1 M hydrochloric acid is
required to change the colour of the indicator. Solution S. To 5.0 g add 50 mL of ether R and 40 mL of a
7.5 per cent V/V solution of nitric acid R in distilled water R.
Carbonates and substances insoluble in acids. Dissolve Heat under a reflux condenser until dissolution is complete.
1.0 g in 15 mL of dilute hydrochloric acid R. It dissolves Allow to cool. In a separating funnel, separate the aqueous
without effervescence and the solution is not more opalescent layer and shake the ether layer with 2 quantities, each of
than reference suspension II (2.2.1) and is colourless (2.2.2, 4 mL, of distilled water R. Combine the aqueous layers, wash
Method II). with 15 mL of ether R and heat on a water-bath until ether is
Elemental impurities. Any method that fulfils the completely eliminated. Allow to cool and dilute to 50.0 mL
requirements of general chapter 2.4.20. Determination of with distilled water R (solution S). Evaporate the ether layer to
elemental impurities may be used. dryness and dry the residue at 105 °C.
Appearance of solution. Solution S is not more intensely
Element Maximum content (ppm)
coloured than reference solution Y6 (2.2.2, Method II).
Cadmium 5
Appearance of solution of fatty acids. Dissolve 0.5 g of
Lead 10 the residue obtained in the preparation of solution S in
10 mL of chloroform R. The solution is clear (2.2.1) and not
Thallium 5 more intensely coloured than reference solution Y5 (2.2.2,
Method II).
Acidity or alkalinity. Shake 1.0 g with 5 mL of ethanol (96 per
Iron (2.4.9) : maximum 200 ppm. cent) R and add 20 mL of carbon dioxide-free water R and
Dissolve 50 mg in 1 mL of dilute hydrochloric acid R and 0.1 mL of phenol red solution R. Not more than 0.3 mL of
dilute to 10 mL with water R. Use 0.5 mL of thioglycollic acid R 0.1 M hydrochloric acid or 0.1 mL of 0.1 M sodium hydroxide
in this test. is required to change the colour of the indicator.
Acid value of the fatty acids (2.5.1) : 195 to 210.
Loss on ignition : maximum 1.0 per cent, determined on Dissolve 0.20 g of the residue obtained in the preparation of
1.00 g by ignition to constant mass at 500 ± 50 °C. solution S in 25 mL of the prescribed mixture of solvents.
Chlorides (2.4.4) : maximum 250 ppm.
ASSAY Dilute 2 mL of solution S to 15 mL with water R.
Dissolve 0.150 g in 10 mL of dilute acetic acid R. Carry out the Sulfates (2.4.13) : maximum 0.6 per cent.
complexometric titration of zinc (2.5.11).
Dilute 1 mL of solution S to 50 mL with distilled water R.
1 mL of 0.1 M sodium edetate is equivalent to 8.14 mg of ZnO. Dilute 12.5 mL of this solution to 15 mL with distilled water R.

4426 See the information section on general monographs (cover pages)

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