What is the oxidation state of Zinc (Zn) in most compounds?

What is the oxidation state of Zinc (Zn) in most compounds?

• A. +1
• B. 0
• C. +2
• D. +3

Answer: (C)

The main idea is that zinc favors losing two electrons to form a Zn2+ ion. Its electron configuration is [Ar] 3d10 4s2, so removing both 4s electrons gives a stable, fully filled 3d subshell (d10). This stability makes the +2 oxidation state much more favorable than any higher state. Trying to reach +3 would require removing a third electron from the 3d or 4p region, which is energetically costly and uncommon for zinc. The neutral form of zinc has oxidation state zero, but that’s not what you see in compounds. Thus, in most compounds zinc exists as Zn2+.

The main idea is that zinc favors losing two electrons to form a Zn2+ ion. Its electron configuration is [Ar] 3d10 4s2, so removing both 4s electrons gives a stable, fully filled 3d subshell (d10). This stability makes the +2 oxidation state much more favorable than any higher state. Trying to reach +3 would require removing a third electron from the 3d or 4p region, which is energetically costly and uncommon for zinc. The neutral form of zinc has oxidation state zero, but that’s not what you see in compounds. Thus, in most compounds zinc exists as Zn2+.