Initial experiments in which ZnSe was sealed in Pyrex tubes with dry gaseous HC1 gave small quantities (<10% yield) of HvSe, H2, and Se after being heated as high as 773 K for 16 h. The rate was slow but catalysts might be found to speed the reaction which could also be driven under pressurized HC1 to shift the equilibrium. An experiment was also tried using HBr instead of HC1 with essentially identical results.
ConclusionsConditions have been found under which ZnO, Se, and S02 react to produce ZnSe and ZnS04-The reaction proceeds rapidly to equilibrium at 773 K without detectable side reactions.Hydrolysis of ZnSe to give H2Se was found to go rapidly and quantitatively with dilute HC1 and slowly with dilute H2SC>4. Experiments also indicate concentrated HC1 will rapidly and completely hydrolyze ZnSe at ambient temperature using minimal quantities of water and HC1, and presently provides