Zinc forms an ionic bond.
Zinc forms 2+ cations, with the formula Zn2+.
Acetate is a polyatomic anion. It has the formula: CH3COO-
Polyatomic ions are covalently bonded groups of atoms and have a positive or negative charge caused by the formation of an ionic bond with another ion.
The compound needs to be neutral and for that the total positive charge must equal the total negative charge.
I.e. total positive charge = total negative charge
So, the formula for zinc acetate requires one Zn2+ and two C2H3O2− ions.
The formula then becomes Zn(C2H3O2)2.
Final Answer:
​The formula for zinc acetate is Zn(C2H3O2)2