Zinc in Coordination Compounds: Charge & Roman Numerals

[pivoxa15]

I thought that as a general rule when writing out compound names (in full) involving a coordination metal, the charge of the coord metal must be stated in Roman Numerals. If nothing is specified than a charge of +1 is assumed.

But I came across a compound involving zinc written zinc... without any roman numeral so I assumed it had +1 charge when bound within the compound. But it turned out to have +2 charge. Why don't they specify it by writing zinc(II)... ?

 

[Gokul43201]

I thought that as a general rule when writing out compound names (in full) involving a coordination metal, the charge of the coord metal must be stated in Roman Numerals. If nothing is specified than a charge of +1 is assumed.

Where did you get that last bit from? From what I recall, the oxidation state may be left unspecified if the metal is in its most common oxidation state. For Zinc, the +2 oxidation state is most common.

 

[pivoxa15]

Good point, I think I made it up. Zinc likes to lose 2 electrons in its outer 4S shell doesn't it.

 

[Gokul43201]

Yes, that's right.