What is the formula for the polyatomic ion Fe(HCO3)3 and it’s name
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answer:
Formula: Fe(HCO₃)₃
Name: Iron(III) bicarbonate
Explanation:
Fe(HCO₃)₃ is a compound that contains one iron (Fe) ion and three bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻) ions. To understand this compound, it is essential to analyze the individual parts.
Iron (Fe) is a transition metal and can exhibit multiple oxidation states. In this compound, the iron ion is in the +3 oxidation state, indicated by the Roman numeral III in the name. This makes it an iron(III) ion, or Fe³⁺.
Bicarbonate is a polyatomic ion with the formula HCO₃⁻. It carries a single negative charge (-1). Since the iron ion carries a +3 charge, and each bicarbonate ion carries a -1 charge, three bicarbonate ions are needed to balance the charge of one Fe³⁺ ion:
- Fe³⁺ + 3 × HCO₃⁻ → Fe(HCO₃)₃
This results in a neutral compound, meaning the positive and negative charges cancel each other out.
The name of the compound follows IUPAC naming conventions. The metal comes first: Iron. Since iron can have more than one oxidation state, the specific state used in the compound must be indicated using Roman numerals: Iron(III).
The anion, HCO₃⁻, is known as bicarbonate (or hydrogen carbonate). Since there are three of these ions in the compound, but they are all the same, no prefix is used, and the name simply becomes bicarbonate.
Putting it together yields: Iron(III) bicarbonate.
This compound may appear in contexts involving mineral reactions, environmental chemistry, or acid-base chemistry. The bicarbonate ion plays a significant role in pH buffering systems, especially in natural waters and biological systems.
