Zinc oxide coordination number

When the positions of cations and anions are interchanged, the same structure types result for the CsCl, NaCl and zinc blende type. In the case of the fluorite type the interchange also involves an interchange of the coordination numbers, i.e. the anions obtain coordination number 8 and the cations 4. This structure type sometimes is called anti-fluorite type it is known for the alkali metal oxides (Li20,..., Rb20). 

Zinc is frequently used as a supramolecular building block due to its inert oxidation state and flexibility in coordination number and geometry. 

The only stable oxidation state of zinc is +2. The compounds of zinc are white (Figure 13.64). Zinc complexes usually have a coordination number of 4 and these are tetrahedral. Addition of alkali to an aqueous solution of a zinc salt initially produces a white precipitate of the hydroxide but this is amphoteric and dissolves in excess to give a colourless solution of zincate(ii) ions ... 

The electrochemistry of the zinc electrode in alkaline solution is actually quite complex. Zinc commonly has a coordination number of 4, such as in zinc oxide, or of 6, as in some crystals. The electronic configuration of zinc makes the +2 oxidation state the most stable, although references are occasionally made to monovalent zinc. Zinc has a tendency towards... 

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