In chemical nomenclature, identifying the anion in a compound is a crucial step in determining the proper name and understanding the compound's properties. The anion is the negatively charged ion in an ionic compound. To identify it, look at the formula and recognize the charged species present. For example:
- In the compound \( \mathrm{NaIO}_3 \), the anion is \( \mathrm{IO}_3^- \). This anion is known as "iodate".
- Similarly, in \( \mathrm{HIO}_3(aq) \), the same \( \mathrm{IO}_3^- \) anion is present, also known as "iodate".
This iodate anion is a polyatomic ion, meaning it contains more than one atom. Identifying an anion helps in understanding the compound's chemical behavior and in naming the compound correctly. Once you recognize the anion, you can proceed to name the compound and determine the suffix based on the anion type.