The reaction of lapachol, 2-hydroxy-3-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)-1,4-naphtoquinone, C 15 H 14 O 3 , with zinc acetate, in ethanol, produces a chelate formula Zn(C 15 H 13 O 3 ) 2 (C 2 H 6 O) 2 , whose structure has been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. It pertains to the triclinic system, space group P " 1 1 (No. 2), a ¼ 8.2380(3) A ˚, b ¼ 9.4900(2) A ˚, c ¼ 11.0110(4) A ˚, ¼ 112.536(2) , ¼ 91.204(2) , ¼ 92.664(2) , Z ¼ 1. Some spectroscopic and chemical properties of the complex are also reported.