Zinc anode for electrochemical cells

An additive compound for oxidizable metal such as zinc is provided. The additive includes a sorbitan based compound of the formula, wherein R1, R2, R3 may be the same or different, and are each selected from the group consisting of OH and (OCX1X2CX3X4)nOH, where X1 X2, X3, X4 are selected from the group consisting of H, F, and an aliphatic group, wherein n is between 1 and about 10000; R4 is selected from the group consisting of a single bond, OH and (OCX1X2CX3X4)nOH, where X1 X2, X3, X4 are selected from the group consisting of H, F, and an aliphatic group, wherein n is between 1 and about 10000; and R5 is selected from the group consisting of OR6 and OOCR6, wherein R6 is an aliphatic group.