Periodate facts for kids
A periodate is a special kind of ion. Think of an ion as an atom or a group of atoms that has an electric charge. Periodates are made from the element iodine combined with oxygen.
There are two main types of periodate ions:
- Metaperiodate has the chemical formula IO4-. This means it has one iodine atom and four oxygen atoms, and it carries a negative charge.
- Orthoperiodate has the chemical formula IO65-. This one has one iodine atom and six oxygen atoms, and it carries a larger negative charge.
These ions are also known as salts of periodic acid. In periodates, the iodine atom is in a very high oxidation state, which means it has lost many electrons. This makes periodates very strong oxidizing agents. An oxidizing agent is a substance that can take electrons from other substances, causing them to change.
The most common periodate you might hear about is Sodium periodate.
What is an Ion?
An ion is an atom or a group of atoms that has an electric charge. Atoms usually have an equal number of protons (positive charge) and electrons (negative charge), making them neutral. But if an atom gains or loses electrons, it becomes an ion.
- If an atom loses electrons, it becomes a positive ion (called a cation).
- If an atom gains electrons, it becomes a negative ion (called an anion).
Periodate ions are negative ions because they have gained extra electrons.
What are Salts?
In chemistry, a salt is a chemical compound formed when an acid and a base react with each other. For example, common table salt (sodium chloride) is formed from hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide. Periodates are salts of periodic acid, meaning they are formed when periodic acid reacts with a base.
Oxidizing Agents
Periodates are known as strong oxidizing agents. This means they are very good at taking electrons from other chemicals. When a periodate takes electrons from another substance, it causes that substance to become "oxidized." This process is used in many chemical reactions, especially in organic chemistry to break down certain molecules.
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