X-Ray-Diffraction Study of Zinc Bromide Solutions

X-ray studies of solutions of zinc bromide show four coordination for the zinc ion. In concentrated water and acetone solution, zinc is coordinated by two bromines and two oxygens, on the average. If the bromine/water ratio is increased by adding hydrobromic acid, zinc becomes totally coordinated by halide. These solutions are too concentrated, however, to speak of the existence of discrete ZnBr4= ions. Crystal radii serve to interpret contacts between species in solution.