[OrthoParaDirector]

Hello,

What is the general use of zinc powder/dust in solutions?

Does it act as a reducer? if yes why not use another reducer Fe²⁺for example?

Thanks.

[sjb]

Zinc metal can act as a reductant, yes; but there are other things it can do too, see e.g, Reformatsky chemistry. Sometimes it can act as a selective reductant, when things like Fe(II) would either be too slow, or react with more than one functionality

[OrthoParaDirector]

I think in my case it could act as a selective reductant. What compounds does zinc powder/dust selectively reduce?

Thanks

[sjb]

I've only ever used it as a reductant for nitro groups, either all the way down to the amine, or in a couple of cases down to the hydroxyamine. Typical functional groups it has tolerated here include halogens, alkenes and nitriles.