Lead and Iodine, Lead Iodide question?

[noahsdev]

**EDIT** Never mind just realized that it is lead(II) in PbI₂. Hehe... Awkward
Why does lead iodide have the formula PbI₂?
Pb needs to lose (or gain) 4 electrons to have a stable octet and Iodine needs to gain only 1. So why isn't the equation PbI₄? It seems like it should be... Please explain if you can.
Thanks :)

 

[SteamKing]

Lead is one of those elements with multiple oxidation states (either +2 or +4). The most common state is +2, which is why lead iodide is PbI2

 

[noahsdev]

Lead is one of those elements with multiple oxidation states (either +2 or +4). The most common state is +2, which is why lead iodide is PbI2

Haha I just realized. Thanks :D