As the ZnO molecules show two different shapes i.e. i know that Zinc is one of the metals cations, but i don't know if it's a transition metal too. To tell if ZnF2 (Zinc fluoride) is ionic or covalent (also called molecular) we look at the Periodic Table that and see that Zn is a metal and F is a non-met. Zinc hydroxide reacts with both bases and acids. Naming compounds by mba06ht - Teaching Resources - Tes #143710. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. Zinc compounds are noteworthy for their nondescript behavior, they are generally colorless (unlike other elements with the oxidation number +2, which are usually white), do not readily engage in redox reactions, and generally adopt symmetrical structures.[1][2][3][4]. zinc and sulfur. National Center for Biotechnology Information. The zinc ion is invariably 4-coordinate with at least three ligands that are amino-acid side-chains. //