Multivalent Metals & Polyatomic Ions

Chemistry
 Multivalent Metals

● Multivalent metals are transition metals that can have different

charges
 Criss-Cross Method - Multivalent Metals
● Multivalent metals can form compounds with other atoms
○ Either ion of the metal can be a part of the compound

● The criss-cross method is used to write the chemical formula for compounds
with multivalent metals
○ Don’t forget to reduce!!!!

Ti O 4+ 2-
Ti2O4 TiO2
Divisible by
2!
 Reverse Criss-Cross Method

● The reverse criss-cross method helps us determine the charges of the ions in
a compound

Cu3 N Cu N3 1

● The +/- is determined based on if the atom+

is a metal -or non-metal

● Remember:
○ Metals LOSE electrons → have a positive charge
○ Non-metals GAIN electrons → have a negative charge
Naming Ionic Compounds with Multivalent Metals

● Naming steps are the same (except step 2!):

1. Name the multivalent metal
2. Write roman numeral next to the multivalent metal to indicate
charge
3. Name the non-metal
4. Change the ending of the non-metal to ‘ide’
5. Put the metal and non-metal names together for the final name

Example: Iron (III) Oxide

Multivalent Metals & Roman Numerals

● Ionic compounds with multivalent metals use roman numerals to

indicate which ion of that metal is involved

● Ex. Copper can form ions with a 1+ or 2+ charge

○ Cu1+ is written as copper (I)
○ Cu2+ is written as copper (II)
Roman Numerals

Number Roman Numeral

1 I
2 II
3 III
4 IV
5 V
 Example - Naming Ionic Compounds with Multivalent Metals
Example: PbI4

1. Use the same process as for naming normal ionic compounds

● PbI4 - Lead iodide

1. Determine the charge of the multivalent ion - use the reverse criss-cross!!!
● Pb I4 → Pb4+ I1-

1. Add a roman numeral next to the metal name to indicate which ion is
involved

● Lead (IV) Iodide

 Reduced Subscripts
● We need to know when subscripts have been reduced so that we include the
right charges when naming

● Example: FeO
○ Name: Iron (??) oxide
○ Ionic charges for each (use reverse criss-cross method): Fe1+ O1-
○ Double charge for each ion: Fe2+ O2-
○ Final name: Iron (II) oxide
 Polyatomic Ions & Naming

● A polyatomic ion is made of more than one atom

● To name compounds with a polyatomic ion, the steps are the same
○ Name the cation, then the anion
○ Example: CaCO3 would be calcium carbonate

● There is one difference in naming:

○ You do not need to change the ending of a polyatomic ion
● Ammonium is the only polyatomic ion with a positive charge
○ Must write its name first in a compound
 Chemical Formulas with Polyatomic Ions

● The steps to write a chemical formula for compounds with a polyatomic ion
are the same
○ Write the symbol for each ion and its charge
○ Cross the charges and write them as subscripts

● There is one difference:

○ When placing a subscript next to a polyatomic ion, include brackets
Example - Chemical Formulas with Polyatomic Ions

Aluminium carbonate

Al3+ (CO3)2-

Al2(CO3)3
Your Turn!
Chemical Formula Reverse Criss-Cross Ion Charges
Method

Al2O3 Al2 O3 Al3+ O2-

K3 PO4

CaBr2

Fe2O3

NaOH
Your Turn!

Name Chemical Formula

Calcium hydroxide

MgSO3

Barium nitrate

K3PO4

Iron (III) nitride

CoO

Tungsten (IV) phosphide

Hg2O