Question

How can I name polyatomic ionic compounds?

Answer 1

The answer is based on the fact that the naming of the compounds is done where the cations and anions present are named order wise. Write an example and try naming according to the rules.

Complete step by step answer:
From the lower classes, we have studied the concepts of chemistry that tell us about the naming of the organic, inorganic and also the ionic compounds and the rules to be followed while naming the compounds like the IUPAC rule etc.
We shall see the naming of the polyatomic ionic compounds.
- A simple ionic compound can be named according to the rules which are stated below,
- The name of the cations are always written first and then followed by the anions.
- When the formula contains two or more same polyatomic ions then that ion is written in the bracket with the subscript written outside it.
- If the cation is metal ion with any fixed charge then the name of the cation will be the same as the neutral element from which it is derived. For example, $N{{a}^{+}}$ is spelt as sodium. If the cation is metal with different or variable charge then the charge is written in Roman numbers in the bracket followed by the name of the cation. For example, $F{{e}^{2+}}$ is written as Iron (II).
- If suppose the anion is monoatomic then it is named by adding the suffix –ide to the main element name. For example $I$ is spelt as iodide.
Thus, one example of a naming of polyatomic ions can be of simple polyatomic ions $N{{H}_{4}}^{+}$ and this is named according to rules as ammonium ion.
The example of the complex is $FeC{{l}_{3}}$ and this compound can be named as Iron (III) chloride.

Note: Note that polyatomic ions is a compound that is a covalently bonded set of two or more atoms or also of a metal complex which can be considered to behave as a single unit and that having net charge not equal to zero.