please give me an idiot proof, step by step general method for finding the chemical formulas of ionic compounds that contain polyatomic ions. I am allowed to use my typed up list of common polyatomic ions for my upcoming test so memorization is not a problem. I will give you some examples that I found confusing
copper(II) dihydrogen phosphate
tetraphosphorus decaoxide
potassium hydrogen phtalate
I understand the basics but I need a complete explanation for my test tomorrow
THANK YOU SO MUCH!
I think the easiest way to find the formulas is this:
1. Find the formulas of both, the anion and the cation
2. Find the valences of the iocomplete list of ionic compoundsns. (e.g. Na+ has 1, Ca2+ has 2, ...)
3. If x is the valence of the cation and y the valence of the anion, find simplest fraction x/y. (e.g. 2/3 stays 2/3, 4/2 becomes 2/1, 4/6 becomes 2/3) Then use this ratio for the stoichiometric ratio of the ions, i.e. combine y(!) cations(!) with x(!) anions(!). (This way you get a neutral compound, without unbalanced charges)
Things will be clear with the examples:
1. copper(II) dihydrogen phosphate
Cation: copper(II) = Cu2? because of the "(II)". The (II) states the oxidation number of the copper ion explicitly. (copper(I) would be Cu?)
Anion: dihydrogen phosphate = H?PO??
Valences: 2/1, therefore use two anions per cation.
Compcomplete list of ionic compoundsound: Cu(H?PO?)?
2. tetraphosphorus decaoxide
(for traditional reasons sometimes called phosphorus pentoxide)
In this case, the name gives a full discription, you don't have to care about the valences;
tetraphosphorus: P?
decaoxide: O??
-> P?O??
3. Potassium hydrogen phthalate
Cation: K? (potassium is in group I, therefore the valence is 1)
Anion: C6H4(COOH)COO-
Result: C6H4(COOH)COOK
You will need to know the prefixes like tetra and deca.
1 mono- or hen-
2 di
3 tri
4 tetra
5 penta
6 hexa
7 hepta
8 octa
9 nona
10 deca
11 undeca
12 dodeca
...
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