1. A quick and easy guide to naming and writing them
Multivalent ions
A quick and easy guide to naming and writing them

2. What are multivalent ions?
Multivalent: multi (more than one) + valent (number of valence electrons)
AKA. Multiple Charges
Atomic Number (# p+)
Ion Charge
Symbol
Multivalent = 4+ or 3+
Name
Atomic Mass

3. MultiValent Ions Transition Metals More common ones Iron (Fe) 3+ or 2+
Lead (Pb) 2+ or 4+
Nickel (Ni) 2+ or 3+
Copper (Cu) 2+ or1+
Gold (Au) 3+ or 1+

4. Distinguishing charges
Numerals are used when indicating an ion’s charge.
Charge
Roman Numeral +1 I +2 II +3
III +4 IV +5 V +6 VI +7
VII

5. Examples of multivalent charges
Fe 3+  iron (III)
Cu 1+  copper (I)

6. Naming multivalent ions
Example: Au3N
Identify the metal and list the possible charges
Au = 3+ or 1+
Identify the non-metal and it’s charge
N = 3-
Notice how many ions of each you have
3 Au ions AND N ion
Figure out what charge needs to be used so that the positive and negative charges balance out
3 Au ions = = N ion = -3
Determine which roman numeral to use for the metal charge
Au (I)
Write the compound name (non-metal suffix is “ide”)
Gold (I) Nitride

7. Practice Naming Example: PdS2
Identify the metal and list the possible charges
Pd = 2+ or 4+
Identify the non-metal and it’s charge
S = 2-
Notice how many ions of each you have
1 Pd ion AND S ions
Figure out what charge needs to be used so that the positive and negative charges balance out
1 Pd ion = +4 = S ions = = -4
Determine which roman numeral to use for the metal charge
Pd (IV)
Write the compound name (non-metal suffix is “ide”)
Palladium (IV) sulphide

8. Writing formulas Example: manganese (IV) sulfide
Figure out what these two ions are and write down their charges
Manganese (IV) = Mn+4
S = S-2
Determine how many of each ion you need to balance out the charges
Mn+4 = +4
S-2 = - 2 You will need another ion of S to balance
Note the ratio of positive ions to negative ions
1 Mn
2 S
Write the formula, indicating the number of each ion in a subscript right after if
MnS2

9. Practice writing the formula
Example: colbalt (III) oxide
Figure out what these two ions are and write down their charges
Colbalt (III) = Co+3
O = O-2
Determine how many of each ion you need to balance out the charges
Co+3 = = +6
O-2 = = -6
Note the ratio of positive ions to negative ions
2 Co
3 O
Write the formula, indicating the number of each ion in a subscript right after if
Co2O3