complex ion naming

Polyatomic ion names {complex ion naming} can have five parts.

hydrogen

If ion has one hydrogen, begin name with "hydrogen". For two hydrogens, begin with "dihydrogen". For three hydrogens, begin with "trihydrogen".

oxygen

If ion central atom can attach oxygen in more than two ways, use prefix "per-" for ion with the most oxygen atoms or prefix "hypo-" for ion with the least oxygen atoms.

root

Then use central atom root. Root for C is carbon-. Root for N is nitr-. Root for O is ox-. Root for P is phosph-. Root for S is sulf-. Root for Cl is chlor-. Root for Mn is mangan-.

oxygen suffix

If ion central atom can attach oxygen in at least two ways, add "-ite" to root for ion with fewer oxygens or add "-ate" to root for ion with more oxygens.

ion

Then add the word "ion".

example

ClO4- [4 is subscript and - is superscript] is perchlorate ion, ClO3- [3 is subscript and - is superscript] is chlorate ion, ClO2- [2 is subscript and - is superscript] is chlorite ion, and ClO- [- is superscript] is hypochlorite ion.

CO3-- [3 is subscript and -- is superscript] is carbonate ion.

NO3- [3 is subscript and - is superscript] is nitrate ion and NO2- [2 is subscript and - is superscript] is nitrite ion.

O2-- [2 is subscript and -- is superscript] is peroxide ion.

PO4--- [4 is subscript and --- is superscript] is phosphate ion.

SO3-- [3 is subscript and -- is superscript] is sulfite ion. SO4-- [4 is subscript and -- is superscript] is sulfate ion.

MnO4- [4 is subscript and - is superscript] is permanganate ion.

special

Polyatomic ions can have special names. NH4+ [4 is subscript and + is superscript] is ammonium ion. OH- [- is superscript] is hydroxide ion. CN- [- is superscript] is cyanide ion. C2H3O2- [2 and 3 are subscripts and - is superscript] is acetate ion. HCO3- [3 is subscript and - is superscript] is bicarbonate ion.

Whole Section in One File

5-Chemistry-Inorganic-Chemical-Naming

Drawings

Technical Information

Date Modified: 2022.0224