ZrCl4
Zirconium chloride
Zr4+ balances chloride ions.
What Is the Charge of Zirconium?
Zirconium commonly forms Zr4+ in introductory ionic compounds.
Quick answer: Zirconium usually has a common ionic charge of +4, written as Zr4+.
| Element | Zirconium |
|---|---|
| Symbol | Zr |
| Atomic number | 40 |
| Common ionic charge | +4 |
| Common ions | Zr4+ |
Why Zirconium has this charge
Zirconium is a transition metal. Transition metals can have multiple charges, so compound names and roman numerals matter.
This is a classroom reference range, not an exhaustive list of all oxidation states.
Zirconium charge examples
Zr2O3
Zirconium oxide
Zirconium can form oxides where total positive and negative charge balances.
FAQ
Is Zirconium charge the same as oxidation state?
Ionic charge is the charge on an actual ion. Oxidation state is a bookkeeping number used inside compounds. They can match, but they are not always the same thing.
How do I use this in formulas?
Combine positive and negative ions so the total charge is zero. You can also use the ionic compound calculator.
Where can I see the full chart?
Use the periodic table with charges or the ionic charges chart.