Solute–solvent interactions in formamide and zinc chloride solutions: An investigation by Raman spectroscopy

Raman experiments of formamide and zinc chloride solutions in a wide concentration range (0.1–5.0 mol kg−1) have been carried out. The spectral changes were interpreted on three different ways: (i) the rupture of the H-bonds of FA was evidenced by the trend observed in the νCO, δHNH and restricted (translation or libration) modes; (ii) the appearance of a new band in the νCN region (∼1338 cm−1) was assigned to FA coordinated to Zn (II) through nitrogen atom; (iii) the electronic delocalization in the FA structure upon complexation provided the appearance of new features in the δCH and νCH regions. The quantitative treatment performed at the νCN region of FA allowed the determination of an average number of 3 FA molecules per Zn (II) in the first solvation shell. This value is supported by the appearance of features assigned to ZnCl+ and ZnCl2 entities that also occupy vertices of the tetrahedron at higher salt concentrations. The present study may be useful for a better understanding on electrochemical processes employed in the production of dendritic zinc films as well as FA hydrolysis catalyzed by this metal.