What is the chemical formula for the polyatomic ion acetate?

1 Answer
Nov 1, 2015

Acetate? #H_3C-C(=O)O^-#.

Explanation:

Acetate is the anion (or conjugate base) of acetic acid, #H_3C-C(=O)OH#. Salts of this acids are called acetates (or ethanoates). Two equivs acetic acid can couple and exclude water to form acetic anhdyride:

#2H_3C-C(=O)OH rarr H_3C-C(=O)O(O=C)-CH_3 + H_2O#