Question

What kind of salt (acidic or basic) is `Zn(CH_3COO)_2` solution?

Answer 1

Basic

Explanation:

This solution, when in water will have the following equilibrium:

`Zn(CH_3COO)_2 + 6H_2O rarr Zn(H_2O)_6^(+2) + 2CH_3COO^(-)`

While that aqua-ion (the complex of the metallic ion with the water) can cause a mild hydrolysis liberating protons, the main acid-base equilibrium here is the one that acetate `CH_3COO^(-)` does, you see, it's a base, which means that in aqueous solution it undergoes this equilibrium:

`CH_3COO^(-) + H_2O harr CH_3COOH + OH^(-)`