Polyatomic Ions

Phosphate

A phosphate, an inorganic chemical, is a salt of phosphoric acid.

Acetate

Acetate is a negative ion, or anion, typically found in aqueous solution. It is often written with the chemical formula C2H3O2−.

Hydroxide

Hydroxide is a diatomic anion with chemical formula OH−. It consists of an oxygen and a hydrogen atom held together by a covalent bond, and carries a negative electric charge. It is an important but usually minor constituent of water.

Hypochlorite

In chemistry, hypochlorite is an ion composed of chlorine and oxygen, with the chemical formula ClO−.

Sulfate

In inorganic chemistry, a sulfate is a salt of sulfuric acid.

Nitrate

Nitrate is a polyatomic ion with the molecular formula NO3− and a molecular mass of 62.0049 g/mol.

Perchlorate

Perchlorates are the salts derived from perchloric acid—in particular when referencing the polyatomic anions found in solution, perchlorate is often written with the formula ClO4−.

Sulfite

Sulfites or sulphites are compounds that contain the sulfite ion SO2− 3. The sulfite ion is the conjugate base of bisulfite. Although its acid is elusive, its salts are widely used.

Ammonium

The ammonium cation is a positively charged polyatomic ion with the chemical formula NH4

Chlorate

The chlorate anion has the formula ClO3−. In this case, the chlorine atom is in the +5 oxidation state. "Chlorate" can also refer to chemical compounds containing this anion; chlorates are the salts of chloric acid.

Chlorite

The chlorite ion, or chlorine dioxide anion, is ClO2−. A chlorite (compound) is a compound that contains this group, with chlorine in oxidation state +3.

Nitrite

The nitrite ion, which has the chemical formula NO2−, is a symmetric anion with equal N-O bond lengths and an O-N-O bond angle of approximately 120°. Upon protonation, the unstable weak acid nitrous acid is produced.

Bicarbonate

bicarbonate (IUPAC-recommended nomenclature: hydrogen carbonate[2]) is an intermediate form in the deprotonation of carbonic acid.

Carbonate

carbonate is a salt of carbonic acid, characterized by the presence of the carbonate ion, CO2