Tetrachlorozincate is an anion with the formula [ZnCl4]2−. It is a counterion that is often used in conjunction with strong electrophiles. Being dianionic, tetrachlorozincate is not classified as a weakly coordinating anion. On the other hand, being dianionic, tetrachlorozincate facilitates the crystallization of many salts. It has a tetrahedral molecular geometry. A simple example is [NH4]2[ZnCl4] (ammonium tetrachlorozincate). Zincates are anionic zinc complexes. Related to the preparation of Lucas' reagent, tetrachlorozincates are often generated by combining hydrochloric acid and zinc chloride. A related anion is [Zn2Cl6]2−, in which again Zn(II) adopts a tetrahedral geometry.
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![Tetrachlorozincate: Portion of the crystal structure of the salt hexaacetonitrilenickel(II) tetrachlorozincate ([Ni(CH3CN)6]2+[ZnCl4]2−).[3]](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ab/ACNNIZ.png/500px-ACNNIZ.png?utm_source=en.wikipedia.org&utm_campaign=parser&utm_content=thumbnail)
![Tetrachlorozincate: The structure of [Zn2Cl6]2−.](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d6/CANZUM10.png/500px-CANZUM10.png?utm_source=en.wikipedia.org&utm_campaign=parser&utm_content=thumbnail)
