Polyatomic Ions

(Radicals)
(Molecular Ions)
Polyatomic Ions: Groups of two or more atoms, bonded together,
that have an overall positive or negative charge.
2−
OH − SO4
(hydroxide ion) (sulphate ion)
+ 3−
NH4 PO4
(ammonium ion) (phosphate ion)

Metal (Most polyatomic ions carry a negative charge

wannabe and therefore behave like non-metals)
Polyatomic ions behave as a single unit, and are treated as such when
forming compounds and writing molecular formulas.

Example: 1) Sodium hydroxide

Sodium ion Hydroxide ion Sodium hydroxide

Na+ OH − NaOH

Given
(You don’t have to know these off by heart … yet)
2) Calcium carbonate

Calcium ion Carbonate ion Calcium carbonate

2+ 2−
Ca CO3 CaCO3
3) Sodium sulphate

Sodium ion Sulphate ion Sodium sulphate

+ 2−
Na SO4 Na2 SO4
4) Calcium hydroxide

Calcium ion Hydroxide ion Calcium hydroxide

Ca 2+ OH − Ca OH 2
5) Barium phosphate

Barium ion Phosphate ion Barium phosphate

2+ 3−
Ba PO4 Ba3 PO4 2
6) Ammonium nitrate

Ammonium ion Nitrate ion Ammonium nitrate

NH4 + NO3 − NH4NO3

7) Ammonium nitride

Ammonium ion Nitride ion Ammonium nitride

NH4 + N 3− NH4 3N
8) More compounds formed with polyatomic ions.

Compound Name Ions Formula

Aluminium nitrate Al 3+ NO3 − Al NO3 3

Ammonium chloride NH4 + Cl− NH4 Cl

2−
Sodium sulphate Na+ SO4 Na2 SO4

Ammonium carbonate NH4 + CO3 2− NH4 2 CO3

9) Transition metals with polyatomic ions.

Compound Name Ions Formula

Mercury (II) cyanide Hg 2+ CN − Hg CN 2

Chromium (III) sulphate Cr 3+ SO4 2− Cr2 SO4 3

2+ 2−
Copper (II) sulphate Cu SO4 CuSO4
4+ −
Zirconium (IV) acetate Zr C2H3O4 Zr C2H3O2 4
If you’re lucky, your teacher has some
more of these for you to practice.