Zn (s) + 2 HgO (s) → ZnO2 (s) + 2 Hg (l)

This is an oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction:

Zn0 - 4 e- → ZnIV (oxidation)

2 HgII + 4 e- → 2 Hg0 (reduction)

Zn is a reducing agent, HgO is an oxidizing agent.

Reactants:

  • Zn
    • Names: Zinc source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-07, Zinc powder (pyrophoric) source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04, Zn source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-07
    • Appearance: Grey-to-blue powder source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04
  • HgO – Mercury(II) oxide source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02
    • Other names: Mercuric oxide source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04, Montroydite source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27, Red mercury source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27, Mercury (II) oxide source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04
    • Appearance: Yellow or red solid source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27; Yellow, orange-yellow or red heavy crystalline powder source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04

Products:

  • ZnO2
    • Names: Zinc peroxide source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-28source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02, Zinc dioxide source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-28, Zinc bioxide source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-28
    • Appearance: White-yellowish powder source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-28
  • Hg
    • Names: Mercury source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-07source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04, Hg source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-07, Quicksilver source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-07source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04
    • Appearance: Odourless heavy mobile silvery liquid metal source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04