Selenium Oxyanions: Names and Formulas

The oxyanions of selenium are SeO₄²- (selenate) and SeO₃²- (selenite).

Selenium, a nonmetal in the oxygen family of the periodic table, forms oxyanions with oxygen. These oxyanions have specific names and formulas based on the number of oxygen atoms they contain.

Selenate (SeO₄²-)

The major oxyanion of selenium is selenate, with the formula SeO₄²-. This oxyanion contains four oxygen atoms bound to a selenium atom. The name "selenate" is derived from selenium and the -ate suffix, which is commonly used for oxyanions with the highest number of oxygen atoms in the series.

Selenite (SeO₃²-)

The other oxyanion of selenium is selenite, with the formula SeO₃²-. Selenite contains three oxygen atoms bound to a selenium atom. The name "selenite" is derived from selenium and the -ite suffix, which is typically used for oxyanions with fewer oxygen atoms compared to the -ate counterpart.

These names and formulas follow the standard naming conventions for oxyanions and are consistent with the patterns observed in other families of elements.