Name ______________________

Polyatomic Ions – are groups of atoms that tend to stay together and carry an overall ionic charge.

Examples : ammonium NH4+

carbonate CO32-

To name compounds with polyatomic ions:

Follow the same rules as ionic compounds.

Example 1 calcium hydroxide

STEP 1 & 2 Find the ionic charge for each part of the compound.
Write the symbol of each part below its ionic charge.
2+ 1-
Ca OH

STEP 3 Crisscross the numbers and use them as subscripts.

Brackets are used if there is more than one of the polyatomic ions required.
Ca(OH)2

STEP 4 It is already reduced to the lowest whole number ratio.

POLYATOMIC IONS (CONTINUED)

Example 2 sodium phosphate

STEP 1&2 1+ 3-
Na PO4

STEP 3&4 Na3PO4

Ion Name Ion Formula

ammonium NH4+
bicarbonate HCO3-
chlorate ClO3-
carbonate CO32-
hydroxide OH-
nitrate NO3-
nitrite NO2-
phosphate PO43-
sulphate SO42-
sulphite SO32-
1. Write the formulas for the following compounds.

a) magnesium sulphate ___________________________

b) sodium chlorate ___________________________

c) aluminum nitrate ___________________________

d) potassium hydroxide ___________________________

e) lithium phosphate ___________________________

f) calcium carbonate ___________________________

g) barium sulfite ___________________________

h) ammonium bicarbonate ___________________________

i) tin(IV) sulphate ___________________________

j) copper(II) hydroxide ___________________________

2. Write the names for the following compounds. Careful if multivalent (need brackets)!

a) Li2CO3 ______________________________

b) Al(HCO3)3 ______________________________

c) Mg3(PO4)2 ______________________________

d) TiPO4 ______________________________

e) Al(OH)3 ______________________________

f) Fe(ClO3)3 ______________________________

g) NaOH ______________________________

h) (NH4)2CO3 ______________________________

i) CuNO3 ______________________________

j) FeSO4 ______________________________