tellerulam Posted May 1, 2006 Share Posted May 1, 2006 Names of polyatomic ions usually end in -ite or -ate and names of ionic compounds end in the name of the anion in the compound. If the name ends in -ate how can you tell if it's a polyatomic ion or an ionic compound with a polyatomic ion as its anion other than memorizing it? Thanks. Sorry if it's a stupid question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woelen Posted May 1, 2006 Share Posted May 1, 2006 If it is an ionic compound, then in front of the name of the anion, the name of the cation is mentioned. SO4(2-) : Sulfate Na2SO4 : Sodium sulfate (here the cation is Na(+)). You need to memorize the names of anions (sulfate, nitrate, sulfile, chlorate, ....). You also need to memorize the names of cations (sodium, potassium, ammonium, ....). When you see a combination of such names, then it is an ionic compound. When you only see the name of the anion, then it is an ion. There also are compounds like SO3, ClO2, NO2. These of course are not called sulfite, chlorite and nitrite, these are neutral oxides. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdurg Posted May 1, 2006 Share Posted May 1, 2006 Also, typically speaking there are very few polyatomic cations. (Ammonium and uranyl are the few that come to mind). However, you'll know it's a polyatomic cation because the name will not be the that of an element. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ecoli Posted May 1, 2006 Share Posted May 1, 2006 Also, typically speaking there are very few polyatomic cations. (Ammonium and uranyl are the few that come to mind). However, you'll know it's a polyatomic cation because the name will not be the that of an element. Though, be careful with ones like Sulfates and Silicates, which are polyatomic, but sound like they could be monoatomic (note the 'ate' instead of the 'ide' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woelen Posted May 1, 2006 Share Posted May 1, 2006 Also, typically speaking there are very few polyatomic cations. (Ammonium and uranyl are the few that come to mind). However, you'll know it's a polyatomic cation because the name will not be the that of an element. You'd better say, there are very few common polyatomic cationic species, which are used on high schools. In reality there are many more, even quite common ones: vanadyl: VO(2+) hydrazinium: NH2NH3(+) and (+)NH3NH3(+) all kinds of substituted ammonium ions with 1,2,3 or even 4 substituted H's. nitrosyl: NO(+) nitryl: NO2(+) ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdurg Posted May 1, 2006 Share Posted May 1, 2006 Though, be careful with ones like Sulfates and Silicates, which are polyatomic, but sound like they could be monoatomic (note the 'ate' instead of the 'ide' Sulfates and Silicates aren't cations, however. @Woelen: Very true. I should have put that caveat in there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ecoli Posted May 1, 2006 Share Posted May 1, 2006 Sulfates and Silicates aren't cations' date=' however. [/quote'] Of course not... more of a response to the OP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tellerulam Posted May 2, 2006 Author Share Posted May 2, 2006 That simplifies some stuff. Thaks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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