Question

What are the formulas (including charges) for (a) hypochlorite ion, (b) bisulfate ion, (c) phosphate ion, (d) dihydrogen phosphate ion, (e) permanganate ion, and (f) oxalate ion?

Short answer

The formulas for the ions are (a) hypochlorite ion: ClO\textsuperscript{-}, (b) bisulfate ion: HSO\textsubscript{4}\textsuperscript{-}, (c) phosphate ion: PO\textsubscript{4}\textsuperscript{3-}, (d) dihydrogen phosphate ion: H\textsubscript{2}PO\textsubscript{4}\textsuperscript{-}, (e) permanganate ion: MnO\textsubscript{4}\textsuperscript{-}, (f) oxalate ion: C\textsubscript{2}O\textsubscript{4}\textsuperscript{2-}.

Step-by-step solution

Identify the Composition of Hypochlorite Ion

The hypochlorite ion consists of one chlorine atom and one oxygen atom, with a -1 charge. This ion is typically formed by the removal of one hydrogen ion from hypochlorous acid (HClO).

Determine the Composition of Bisulfate Ion

The bisulfate ion, also known as hydrogen sulfate ion, contains one sulfur atom, four oxygen atoms, and an additional hydrogen atom, with a -1 charge. This ion is derived from the sulfate ion (SO4^2-) by the addition of a hydrogen ion (H+).

Determine the Composition of Phosphate Ion

The phosphate ion consists of one phosphorus atom and four oxygen atoms, with a -3 charge. It is formed when phosphoric acid (H3PO4) loses three hydrogen ions.

Identify the Composition of Dihydrogen Phosphate Ion

The dihydrogen phosphate ion is the result of phosphoric acid losing only one hydrogen ion. It consists of one phosphorus atom, four oxygen atoms, and retains two hydrogen atoms, resulting in a -1 charge.

Identify the Composition of Permanganate Ion

The permanganate ion is made up of one manganese atom and four oxygen atoms, with a -1 charge. This ion is known for its deep purple color and strong oxidizing properties.

Determine the Composition of Oxalate Ion

The oxalate ion consists of two carbon atoms and four oxygen atoms, with a charge of -2. This ion is the conjugate base of oxalic acid, occurring when oxalic acid loses two hydrogen ions.

Key concepts

Hypochlorite Ion

The hypochlorite ion, denoted as ClO^-, is a key component in many household bleaches and disinfectants. This ion plays an essential role in water purification processes as well. The hypochlorite ion is distinctive due to its single chlorine atom (Cl) bonded to one oxygen atom (O), carrying a negative one charge (-1). To visualize this, picture the chlorine losing a hydrogen ion from hypochlorous acid (HClO) to become the negatively charged ClO^-.

An important aspect to remember about the hypochlorite ion is its oxidizing ability. This characteristic makes the ion an effective agent against bacteria and other pathogens, which is why it's used so widely in cleaning products. Keep in mind that, despite its usefulness, the hypochlorite ion can be unstable and react easily with other substances.

Bisulfate Ion

Bisulfate, also recognized as the hydrogen sulfate ion, holds the formula HSO4^-. This ion comprises a sulfur atom (S) at the center, surrounded by four oxygen atoms (O), with one of these oxygens bonded to an additional hydrogen atom (H). A bisulfate has a charge of negative one (-1). It forms when sulfuric acid (H2SO4) donates a proton (H+), leaving behind the bisulfate ion.

Commonly encountered in acid rain and many chemical reactions, the bisulfate ion acts as an acid in water, donating hydrogen ions to other molecules. It's also used for adjusting pH levels and in some cleaning products. To understand bisulfate, it's helpful to know that it's part of a dissociation equilibrium with sulfate and sulfuric acid, reacting dynamically with water.

Phosphate Ion

The phosphate ion, with the formula PO4^3-, is a polyatomic ion consisting of one phosphorus atom (P) at the center of a tetrahedral structure, surrounded by four oxygen atoms (O). This ion carries a negative three charge (-3), stemming from the loss of three hydrogen ions from phosphoric acid (H3PO4). Phosphate ions are crucial for biological processes such as energy transfer in ATP (adenosine triphosphate) and as a structural element in DNA and RNA.

Phosphates also play a significant role in fertilizers, due to their ability to support plant growth by providing essential phosphorus. In environmental terms, excess phosphate from agricultural runoff can lead to eutrophication, which is the over-enrichment of water bodies that causes harmful algal blooms.

Dihydrogen Phosphate Ion

The dihydrogen phosphate ion is a modified form of the phosphate ion, denoted as H2PO4^-. This ion arises when phosphoric acid loses just one of its three hydrogen ions, hence the presence of two hydrogen atoms (H) in its structure. Alongside the pivotal phosphorus atom (P) surrounded by four oxygen atoms (O), the dihydrogen phosphate ion bears a negative one charge (-1).

Like its relative the phosphate ion, the dihydrogen phosphate ion is involved in a variety of biological functions and processes. It participates in buffering systems that maintain pH stability in body fluids and is also integral in energy storage and transfer, specifically as a component of ATP. Dihydrogen phosphate is in equilibrium with phosphoric acid and hydrogen phosphate in aqueous solutions, which is an important concept in acid-base chemistry.

Permanganate Ion

Recognizable by its deep purple color, the permanganate ion carries the formula MnO4^-. This ion is composed of a central manganese atom (Mn) bonded to four oxygen atoms (O), and it exhibits a negative one charge (-1). Permanganate is known for its potent oxidizing properties, making it widely used in qualitative analysis and organic synthesis.

One should note that the permanganate ion is often involved in redox reactions, where it can accept electrons and, in doing so, changes its oxidation state, often resulting in a change of color. This transformation is harnessed in its application as an antiseptic, in water treatment, and as a titrant in analytical chemistry. Understanding the reactivity and potential hazards of the permanganate ion is essential for safe handling and usage in laboratory settings.

Oxalate Ion

The oxalate ion is represented by the formula C2O4^2- and consists of two carbon atoms (C) connected to each other, with each carbon atom also bound to two oxygen atoms (O). This ion possesses a charge of negative two (-2), owing to the loss of two hydrogen ions from oxalic acid (C2H2O4), making it a dianion.

Oxalate is a significant organic compound found in many plants, such as spinach, where it binds with minerals to form crystals, some of which can contribute to the formation of kidney stones if accumulated in high quantities within the human body. In industry, oxalates are used as chelating agents, which are substances that can grasp and bind metal ions, thus being useful in metal extraction and purification processes. An understanding of oxalate's binding capabilities can offer insights into its role in nature and technology.