Synthesis
Zircon is melted with caustic soda, rinsed, desiliconized, and then reacted with sulfuric acid, and then ammonia water is added to obtain zirconium hydroxide precipitate. Finished zirconium oxychloride.
Uses
Zirconium dichloride oxide is utilized as a precursor to prepare other zirconium compounds. It is employed in acid dyes, pigment toners and antiperspirants. It finds application as a rubber additive and a fiber treatment agent. It is also used in paint drying, refractories, ceramics and glaze.
Purification Methods
Recrystallise the chloride several times from water [Ferragina et al. J Chem Soc, Dalton Trans 265 1986]. Recrystallisation from 8M HCl gives the octahydrate as white needles on concentrating. It is also formed by hydrolysing ZrCl4 with water. After one recrystallisation from H2O, 99+% grade zirconyl chloride had Ag, Al, As, Cd, Cu, Hf, Mg, Na, Sc and V at 20, 1.8, 0.6, 0.6, 0.4, 8.4, 0.4, 2.4, 80 and 3 ppm, respectively. (See above.) METAL-ORGANIC COMPOUNDS This section contains metal-organic compounds as well as ammonium and metal salts of organic acids. (For Introduction see p 445.)