Polyatomic Ion Definition and Examples

What Is a Polyatomic Ion in Chemistry?

This is the chemical structure of the pyrophosphate anion, an example of a polyatomic ion.
This is the chemical structure of the pyrophosphate anion, an example of a polyatomic ion. Todd Helmenstine
Updated February 23, 2016

Polyatomic Ion Definition

A polyatomic ion is an ion comprised of two or more atoms.

Examples: The hydroxide cation (OH-) and the phosphate cation (PO43-) are both polyatomic ions.

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Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Polyatomic Ion Definition and Examples." ThoughtCo, Feb. 23, 2016, thoughtco.com/definition-of-polyatomic-ion-and-examples-605534. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2016, February 23). Polyatomic Ion Definition and Examples. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-polyatomic-ion-and-examples-605534 Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Polyatomic Ion Definition and Examples." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-polyatomic-ion-and-examples-605534 (accessed September 23, 2017).