Polyatomic Ions and Oxyanion Naming Rules

Vocabulary flashcards covering common polyatomic ions, their chemical formulas, and naming conventions for oxyanions.

Oxyanions

Polyatomic ions that contain oxygen and one other element.

Suffix -ate

The suffix used for the oxyanion in a two-ion series that contains more oxygen atoms (e.g., nitrate, $\text{NO}_3^-$).

Suffix -ite

The suffix used for the oxyanion in a two-ion series that contains less oxygen atoms (e.g., nitrite, $\text{NO}_2^-$).

Ammonium

$\text{NH}_4^+$.

Acetate

$\text{C}_2\text{H}_3\text{O}_2^-$.

Cyanide

$\text{CN}^-$.

Thiocyanate

A polyatomic anion with the formula $\text{SCN}^-$.

Bicarbonate

A polyatomic anion with the formula $\text{HCO}_3^-$.

Carbonate

A polyatomic anion with the formula $\text{CO}_3^{2-}$.

Hypochlorite

A polyatomic anion with the formula $\text{ClO}^-$.

Chlorite

A polyatomic anion with the formula $\text{ClO}_2^-$.

Chlorate

A polyatomic anion with the formula $\text{ClO}_3^-$.

Perchlorate

A polyatomic anion with the formula $\text{ClO}_4^-$.

Chromate

A polyatomic anion with the formula $\text{CrO}_4^{2-}$.

Dichromate

A polyatomic anion with the formula $\text{Cr}_2\text{O}_7^{2-}$.

Permanganate

A polyatomic anion with the formula $\text{MnO}_4^-$.

Nitrite

A polyatomic anion with the formula $\text{NO}_2^-$.

Nitrate

A polyatomic anion with the formula $\text{NO}_3^-$.

Hydroxide

A polyatomic anion with the formula $\text{OH}^-$.

Peroxide

A polyatomic anion with the formula $\text{O}_2^{2-}$.

Dihydrogen Phosphate

A polyatomic anion with the formula $\text{H}_2\text{PO}_4^-$.

Hydrogen Phosphate

A polyatomic anion with the formula $\text{HPO}_4^{2-}$.

Phosphate

A polyatomic anion with the formula $\text{PO}_4^{3-}$.

Hydrogen Sulfite

A polyatomic anion with the formula $\text{HSO}_3^-$.

Sulfite

A polyatomic anion with the formula $\text{SO}_3^{2-}$.

Hydrogen Sulfate

A polyatomic anion with the formula $\text{HSO}_4^-$.

Sulfate

A polyatomic anion with the formula $\text{SO}_4^{2-}$.

Polyatomic Ion Reference Chart

A summary table listing standard polyatomic ion formulas, systematic names, and oxyanion suffix rules.