Zinc Pyrithione

What is Zinc Pyrithione?

Molecular Formula (Zinc Pyrithione): C₁₀H₈N₂O₂S₂Zn

Molecular Weight: 317.7 g/mol

Chemical Name: Zinc Omadine

CAS Number: 13463-41-7

It is a chemical among the pyrithione complex compounds of zinc bromide. It is a chemical with antifungal and antimicrobial properties.

Its properties are inhibited in formulations containing EDTA and in products containing non-ionic chemicals. This is due to chelation or anti-sequestration properties, and the resulting chelated complexes do not dissolve.

Other Names Are As Follows;

• Zinc Pt
• Zinc Pyridine-2-thiol, 1-oxide
• Zinc bis(2-pyridylthio)-N-oxide
• 2-mercaptopyridine 1-oxide zinc salt
• Zincpolyanemine
• Zinc Omadine

How is Zinc Pyrithione Produced?

For production, a compound consisting of the 2-bromopyridine N-oxide or 2-chloropyridine group is selected. One of the bases—sodium hydrosulfite, sodium carbonate, or sodium hydroxide—is added to this selected aqueous solution. During this base addition process, the temperature varies between 20 °C and 65 °C.

The sodium pyrithione obtained during the production process is reacted with a zinc salt by increasing the temperature from 75 °C to 105 °C. The zinc salt used here is zinc chloride (ZnCl₂) or zinc sulfate (ZnSO₄).

What Are Its Physical and Chemical Properties?

It is in the form of an off-white powder.

Melting Point is approximately 240 °C.

Boiling Point: No information available.

Its density at 25 °C is 1.782 g/cm³.

When heated, it emits toxic fumes. These include nitrogen oxides, zinc oxide, and sulfur oxide fumes.

It has low solubility. It has a solubility of 2g/kg in Polyethylene Glycol (PEG400).

The pH range is between 4.5 and 9.5.

What are the Usage Areas of Zinc Pyrithione?

• It is an antifungal and antimicrobial agent that blocks membrane transport.
• Zinc pyrithione is the chemical that prevents the formation of mold caused by gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria occurring in the hair.
• In the cosmetics industry, it is used in the production of shampoos that strengthen and rejuvenate hair and prevent graying.
• It is used to prevent bacterial growth in paint.
• It is used to destroy and prevent the formation of dandruff fungi in the hair. At the same time, it has low irritant properties.
• Coating is applied to boats to prevent the adhesion of microorganisms that damage the boat and affect its performance. Zinc pyrithione is used as a biocide in the paints used for these coatings.
• It prevents the formation of fungi by interfering with the primary proton pump.
• It is an important component for regulating the keratin structure of the hair. It is processed using a concentration of 1%-2%.
• It prevents bacterial and algae formation in outdoor paints.

What Factors Affect Its Prices?

The price of zinc pyrithione is directly dependent on its areas of use. Recently, prices have increased with the growing use of this chemical compound in the shampoo industry.

Zinc pyrithione prices are directly proportional to the prices of the chemical substances used in its production. As the prices of Sodium Hydrosulfite, sodium carbonate, and sodium hydroxide increase, the price of this raw material will increase.

Prices will experience a short-term decrease as the stocks of companies selling zinc pyrithione increase.