What is an Oxyanion?
An oxyanion, also known as an oxoanion, is a negatively charged polyatomic ion containing at least one oxygen atom bonded to another element, forming a central atom, and is the conjugate base of an oxyacid.
Definition:
Oxyanions are anions (negatively charged ions) that contain oxygen, along with a central atom, which is typically a nonmetal.
Formation: They are formed when elements combine with oxygen to create an oxide-containing ion, which can be either negative (oxyanion) or positive (oxycation). Examples: Common examples include phosphate (PO43-), sulfate (SO42-), nitrate (NO3-), and chlorate (ClO3-). Relationship to Oxyacids: Oxyanions are the conjugate bases of oxyacids, which are acids that contain oxygen. For example, the oxyacid nitric acid (HNO3) forms the oxyanion nitrate (NO3-). Nomenclature: The naming of oxyanions follows a specific system based on the number of oxygen atoms present in the anion. For example, the oxyanion with one fewer oxygen atom than the "-ate" oxyanion is named with the suffix "-ite". Environmental Relevance: Oxyanions, particularly those derived from redox-sensitive metals and metalloids, can be harmful to living matter due to their toxicity, nondegradibility, and mobility in aquatic environments. Examples of Oxyanions:
Nitrate (NO3-) Sulfate (SO42-) Phosphate (PO43-) Chlorate (ClO3-) Perchlorate (ClO4-) Chlorite (ClO2-) Hypochlorite (ClO-)
Formation: They are formed when elements combine with oxygen to create an oxide-containing ion, which can be either negative (oxyanion) or positive (oxycation). Examples: Common examples include phosphate (PO43-), sulfate (SO42-), nitrate (NO3-), and chlorate (ClO3-). Relationship to Oxyacids: Oxyanions are the conjugate bases of oxyacids, which are acids that contain oxygen. For example, the oxyacid nitric acid (HNO3) forms the oxyanion nitrate (NO3-). Nomenclature: The naming of oxyanions follows a specific system based on the number of oxygen atoms present in the anion. For example, the oxyanion with one fewer oxygen atom than the "-ate" oxyanion is named with the suffix "-ite". Environmental Relevance: Oxyanions, particularly those derived from redox-sensitive metals and metalloids, can be harmful to living matter due to their toxicity, nondegradibility, and mobility in aquatic environments. Examples of Oxyanions:
Nitrate (NO3-) Sulfate (SO42-) Phosphate (PO43-) Chlorate (ClO3-) Perchlorate (ClO4-) Chlorite (ClO2-) Hypochlorite (ClO-)