How Are Oxoanions and Oxoacids Named

Oxoanions are polyatomic anions that contain one or more oxygen atoms and one atom (the central atom ) of another element. Examples include the chlorate (CIO3), nitrate (NO3), and sulfate (SO4 ) ions. Often, two or more oxoanions have the same central atom but different numbers of O atoms (e.g., NO3 and NO2). Starting with the oxoanions whose names end in-ate. we can name these ions as follows  

The ion with one less O atom than the -ate anion is called the -ite ion. Thus, CIO 2 is the chlorite ion. 

At a minimum, you must commit to memory the formulas and charges of the oxoanions whose names end in -ate so that you can apply these guidelines when necessary. 

In addition to the simple acids discussed in Section 2.6, there is another important class of acids known as oxoacids, which ionize to produce hydrogen ions and the corresponding oxoanions. The formula of an oxoacid can be determined by adding enough ions to the corresponding oxoanion to yield a formula with no net charge. For example, the formulas of oxoacids based on 

An acid based on an -ate ion is called. . . ic acid. Thus, HCIO3 is called chloric acid. 

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