1. Polyatomic Ions Many ions are monoatomic BUT
Most ions are polyatomic (>1 atom)
b.Names & Formulas - Polyatomic

2. There are five common polyatomic ions:
nitrate NO3–
carbonate CO32– (carbonated water)
chlorate ClO3–
sulfate SO42–
phosphate PO43– (cola)

3. There are five common polyatomic ions: note: they all contain oxygen
they all end in –ATE (signifies the most common form)
there’s no simple correlation between the number of oxygens and the charge (easiest is to memorize)

4. Mnemonic
(if they work for you; if not, memorize)
Nick the Camel ate a Clam for Supper in Phoenix
What are the patterns?
What does the first letter in the name represent?
The number of constants relates to what?
The number of vowels relate to what?

5. Nick the Camel ate a Clam for Supper in Phoenix
Nick nitrate
Camel carbonate
ate (all end in ate)
Clam chlorate
Supper sulfate
Phoenix phosphate

6. nitrate NO3– Nick the Camel ate a Clam for Supper in Phoenix
Consonants = number of oxygens
Vowels = charge
nitrate NO3–

7. Five Common polyatomic ions:
nitrate NO3–
carbonate CO32–
chlorate ClO3–
sulfate SO42–
phosphate PO43–

9. Ion Formula Charge # O’s chlorate ClO3– perchlorate ClO4– chlorite
Derivatives of the Five Common Polyatomic Ions
Ion
Formula
Charge
# O’s
chlorate
ClO3–
perchlorate
ClO4–
chlorite
ClO2–
hypochlorite
ClO–
What’s the similarities & differences between names & charges?

10. Polyatomic Ions for Which You Are Responsible