Zineb


Zineb is the chemical compound with the formula n. Structurally, it is classified as a coordination polymer. This pale yellow solid is used as fungicide.

Production and applications

It is produced by treating ethylene bis sodium salt, "nabam", with zinc sulfate. This procedure can be carried out by mixing nabam and zinc sulfate in a spray tank.
Its uses include control of downy mildews, rusts, and redfire disease. In the US it was once registered as a "General Use Pesticide", however all registrations were voluntarily cancelled following an EPA special review. It continues to be used in many other countries.

Structure

Zineb is a polymeric complex of zinc with a dithiocarbamate. The polymer is composed of Zn2 subunits linked by an ethylene backbone. A reference compound is 2, which features a pair of tetrahedral Zn centers bridged by one sulfur center.