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Polyatomic Ions Overview

Sep 13, 2025

Overview

This lecture focuses on memorizing common polyatomic ions, their names, formulas, charges, and naming patterns, which are essential for chemical nomenclature and problem-solving in chemistry.

Polyatomic Ion Naming Patterns

  • Polyatomic ions are ions containing more than one atom.
  • Ions ending in “-ate” have one more oxygen than those ending in “-ite.”
  • Monoatomic ions typically end in “-ide” and contain only one atom, usually without oxygen.
  • Prefix “per-” indicates one more oxygen than “-ate,” while “hypo-” indicates one less oxygen than “-ite.”
  • Adding hydrogen to an ion changes its name to “hydrogen-” or “dihydrogen-” and increases its charge by +1 per hydrogen.

Common Polyatomic Ions: Examples & Names

  • NO₃⁻: Nitrate; NO₂⁻: Nitrite; N³⁻: Nitride.
  • SO₄²⁻: Sulfate; SO₃²⁻: Sulfite; S²⁻: Sulfide.
  • PO₄³⁻: Phosphate; PO₃³⁻: Phosphite; P³⁻: Phosphide.
  • ClO₄⁻: Perchlorate; ClO₃⁻: Chlorate; ClO₂⁻: Chlorite; ClO⁻: Hypochlorite; Cl⁻: Chloride.
  • Similar patterns apply to bromine (Br) and iodine (I) ions.

Special Cases & Additional Ions

  • CO₃²⁻: Carbonate; HCO₃⁻: Hydrogen (bi)carbonate.
  • HSO₄⁻: Hydrogen (bi)sulfate; HSO₃⁻: Hydrogen (bi)sulfite.
  • H₂PO₄⁻: Dihydrogen phosphate; HPO₄²⁻: Hydrogen phosphate.
  • OH⁻: Hydroxide; NH₄⁺: Ammonium; NH₃: Ammonia (neutral molecule).
  • C₂H₃O₂⁻: Acetate; C₂O₄²⁻: Oxalate.
  • CrO₄²⁻: Chromate; Cr₂O₇²⁻: Dichromate.
  • MnO₄⁻: Permanganate.
  • S₂²⁻: Disulfide; S₂O₃²⁻: Thiosulfate.
  • CN⁻: Cyanide; SCN⁻: Thiocyanate.
  • O₂²⁻: Peroxide; O₂⁻: Superoxide.
  • N₃⁻: Azide; BO₃³⁻: Borate; H₃O⁺: Hydronium; P₂O₇⁴⁻: Pyrophosphate.

Naming & Formula Practice

  • Use patterns for naming: “per-”, “-ate”, “-ite”, “hypo-”, and “-ide.”
  • Combine hydrogen addition and charge calculations when naming hydrogen-containing ions.
  • Memorize common polyatomic ions and practice writing their formulas and charges.

Key Terms & Definitions

  • Polyatomic ion — Ion containing more than one type of atom.
  • Monoatomic ion — Ion made of a single atom.
  • Suffix “-ate” — Indicates more oxygen atoms.
  • Suffix “-ite” — Indicates one less oxygen.
  • Suffix “-ide” — Usually for monoatomic ions with no oxygen.
  • Prefix “per-” — One more oxygen than “-ate.”
  • Prefix “hypo-” — One less oxygen than “-ite.”
  • Hydrogen (bi)- — Indicates addition of H⁺, raising the charge by +1 per hydrogen.
  • Quiz practice — Naming and writing formulas for given ions.

Action Items / Next Steps

  • Memorize the names, formulas, and charges of common polyatomic ions listed above.
  • Practice naming ions from formulas and writing formulas from names.
  • Review homework or textbook sections on polyatomic ions as assigned by your instructor.