How can I name compounds containing polyatomic ions?
1 Answer
Basically, you name the ions in the order they occur in the formula. The positive ion is always first, and the negative ion is always second. This is true whether the positive ion is monatomic or polyatomic, or the negative ion is monatomic or polyatomic, or both the ions are. The following URL lists common polyatomic ions, with names, formulas, and charges. http://www2.pvc.maricopa.edu/tutor/chem/chem130/nomenclature/polyatomicion.html
Examples of ionic compounds containing polyatomic ions.
Ionic compounds of the Group 1, 2, and 13 metals containing the negative polyatomic nitrate ion,
Ionic compounds of the group 1, 2, and 13 metals containing the negative polyatomic sulfate ion,
Ionic compounds containing the positive polyatomic ammonium ion,
Ionic compounds containing both a positive polyatomic ion and a negative polyatomic ion.
Ammonium ion plus hydroxide ion,
Ammonium ion plus phosphate ion,
Ionic compounds containing transition metal ions with variable charges and negative polyatomic ions:
Copper can form two ions, copper I,
Combined with the sulfate ion:
Cobalt can form two ions, cobalt II,
Combined with the hydroxide ion: