Polyatomic ion Guide, Meaning , Facts, Information and Description

A polyatomic ion is an ion consisting of multiple atoms associated together by covalent bonds which can be considered as acting as a single unit in the context of acid/base chemistry or in the formation of salts. Note that in this context, a polyatomic ion is also referred to in older works as a radical. In current usage the term radical refers to free radicals which are uncharged species with an unpaired electron.

Some commonly-occurring polyatomic ions and their charges are indicated below:

• carbonate CO₃^2-
• bicarbonate HCO₃^-
• nitrate NO₃^-
• phosphate PO₄^3-
• sulfate SO₄^2-
• sulfite SO₃^2-
• acetate CH₃C(=O)O^-
• ammonium NH₄⁺
• hydroxide OH^-
• cyanide CN^-
• pyridinium C₅H₅NH⁺

The atoms of a polyatomic ion are always associated with each other via covalent or coordinate-covalent bondss.

A polyatomic ion that is primarily associated with other atoms by covalent, rather than ionic, forces might more properly be referred to as a functional group.

Note that many of the common negatively-charged (anionic) polyatomic ions are oxides of non-metallic elements, and can be considered the conjugate bases of the corresponding acids.

Bicarbonate is also called hydrogen carbonate in modern chemical nomenclature.

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