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Emmalee
Emmalee asked in Science & MathematicsChemistry · 5 years ago

In an ionic compound, why is it important to the parentheses ( ) around the anion?

For example: Calcium hydroxide and Calcium cyanide.

1 Answer

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  • Fern
    Lv 7
    5 years ago

    If one writes CaOH2 then one molecule contains 1Ca, 1O and 2H.

    Correctly written is Ca(OH)2. Then one molecule contains 2 hydroxide ions (OH-) ions and 1 Ca+2 ion.

    If one writes CaCN2, then one molecule contains 1Ca, 1C and 2 N.

    Correctly written is Ca(CN)2. Then one molecule contains 2 cyanide ions, (CN-) and 1 Ca+2

    Another example is Ca3(PO4)2. This substance contains 2 phosphate ions, (PO4^-3 and 3 Ca+2 ions.

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