Question

Does zinc react with sodium hydroxide?

Answer 1

Yes to form the zincate, `[Zn(OH)_4]^(2-)`

Explanation:

`Zn+4HO^(-) rarr [Zn(OH)_4]^(2-)+2e^(-)`

And since zinc is oxidized, something must be reduced........

`H_2O+e^(-) rarr 1/2H_2(g) + HO^-`

Overall,.............

`Zn(s)+2HO^(-) + 2H_2O(l)rarr [Zn(OH)_4]^(2-)+H_2(g)`

which is balanced with respect to mass and charge, as required.