EUROPEAN PHARMACOPOEIA 5.

IDENTIFICATION
A. Dissolve 0.5 g in dilute nitric acid R and dilute to 10 ml
with the same acid. The solution gives reaction (a) of
chlorides (2.3.1).
B. 5 ml of solution S (see Tests) gives the reaction of zinc
(2.3.1).
TESTS
Solution S. To 2.0 g add 38 ml of carbon dioxide-free
water R prepared from distilled water R and add dilute
hydrochloric acid R dropwise until dissolution is complete.
Dilute to 40 ml with carbon dioxide-free water R prepared
from distilled water R.
pH (2.2.3). Dissolve 1.0 g in 9 ml of carbon dioxide-free
water R, ignoring any slight turbidity. The pH of the solution
is 4.6 to 5.5.
Oxychlorides. Dissolve 1.5 g in 1.5 ml of carbon dioxide-free
water R. The solution is not more opalescent than reference
suspension II (2.2.1). Add 7.5 ml of alcohol R. The
solution may become cloudy within 10 min. Any cloudiness
disappears on the addition of 0.2 ml of dilute hydrochloric
acid R.
Sulphates (2.4.13). 5 ml of solution S diluted to 15 ml with
distilled water R complies with the limit test for sulphates
(200 ppm). Prepare the standard using a mixture of 5 ml of
sulphate standard solution (10 ppm SO4) R and 10 ml of
distilled water R.
Aluminium, calcium, heavy metals, iron, magnesium. To
8 ml of solution S add 2 ml of concentrated ammonia R and
shake. The solution is clear (2.2.1) and colourless (2.2.2,
Method II). Add 1 ml of disodium hydrogen phosphate
solution R. The solution remains clear for at least 5 min. Add
0.2 ml of sodium sulphide solution R. A white precipitate is
formed and the supernatant liquid remains colourless.
Ammonium (2.4.1). 0.5 ml of solution S diluted to 15 ml
with water R complies with the limit test for ammonium
(400 ppm).

Zinc oxide

CHARACTERS
A soft, white or faintly yellowish-white, amorphous powder,
free from gritty particles, practically insoluble in water and
in alcohol. It dissolves in dilute mineral acids.
IDENTIFICATION
A. It becomes yellow when strongly heated ; the yellow
colour disappears on cooling.
B. Dissolve 0.1 g in 1.5 ml of dilute hydrochloric acid R
and dilute to 5 ml with water R. The solution gives the
reaction of zinc (2.3.1).

TESTS
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
is red, not more than 0.3 ml of 0.1 M hydrochloric acid is
required to change the colour of the indicator.
Carbonates and substances insoluble in acids. Dissolve 1.0 g
in 15 ml of dilute hydrochloric acid R. It dissolves without
effervescence and the solution is not more opalescent than
reference suspension II (2.2.1) and is colourless (2.2.2,
Method II).
Arsenic (2.4.2). 0.2 g complies with limit test A for arsenic
(5 ppm).
Cadmium. Not more than 10 ppm of Cd, determined by
atomic absorption spectrometry (2.2.23, Method II).
Test solution. Dissolve 2.0 g of the substance to be examined
in 14 ml of a mixture of equal volumes of water R and
cadmium- and lead-free nitric acid R, boil for 1 min, cool
and dilute to 100.0 ml with water R.
Reference solutions. Prepare the reference solutions using
cadmium standard solution (0.1 per cent Cd) R and diluting
with a 3.5 per cent V/V solution of cadmium- and lead-free
nitric acid R.
Measure the absorbance at 228.8 nm using a cadmium
hollow-cathode lamp as source of radiation and an
air-acetylene or an air-propane flame.
ASSAY
Iron (2.4.9). Dissolve 50 mg in 1 ml of dilute hydrochloric
acid R and dilute to 10 ml with water R. The solution
Dissolve 0.250 g in 5 ml of dilute acetic acid R. Carry out
complies with the limit test for iron (200 ppm). Use in this
the complexometric titration of zinc (2.5.11).
test 0.5 ml of thioglycollic acid R.
1 ml of 0.1 M sodium edetate is equivalent to 13.63 mg of
Lead. Not more than 50 ppm of Pb, determined by atomic
ZnCl2.
absorption spectrometry (2.2.23, Method II).
Test solution. Dissolve 5.0 g in 24 ml of a mixture of
STORAGE
equal volumes of water R and cadmium- and lead-free nitric
Store in a non-metallic container.
acid R, boil for 1 min, cool and dilute to 100.0 ml with
water R.
Reference solutions. Prepare the reference solutions using
lead standard solution (0.1 per cent Pb) R and diluting with
01/2005:0252 a 3.5 per cent V/V solution of cadmium- and lead-free nitric
acid R.
Measure the absorbance at 283.3 nm using a lead
ZINC OXIDE
hollow-cathode lamp as source of radiation and an
air-acetylene flame. Depending on the apparatus, the line at
217.0 nm may be used.
Zinci oxidum
Loss on ignition. Not more than 1.0 per cent, determined on
ZnO
Mr 81.4 1.00 g at 500 C.
ASSAY
Zinc oxide contains not less than 99.0 per cent and not more Dissolve 0.150 g in 10 ml of dilute acetic acid R. Carry out
than the equivalent of 100.5 per cent of ZnO, calculated with the complexometric titration of zinc (2.5.11).
1 ml of 0.1 M sodium edetate is equivalent to 8.14 mg of ZnO.
reference to the ignited substance.
DEFINITION

General Notices (1) apply to all monographs and other texts

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