Question

What is the difference between polyatomic ion and a radical

Answer 1

Polyatomic ions :

• Molecules containing more than one type of atom as shown below in the form of charged species such as positively charged or negatively charged.

• Polyatomic ions are groups of atoms covalently bonded together, but the atoms whole has a charge.
  

• It can be a group of atoms or a metal complex, where the net charge is not equal to zero.

• Example :

1. Acetate -$C{H}_{3}CO{O}^{-}$
2. bicarbonate (or hydrogen carbonate) - $HC{O}_3^{-}$
3. bisulfate (or hydrogen sulfate) - $HS{O}_4^{-}$
4. chlorate - $Cl{O}_3^{-}$

5. Ammonium - $N{H}_4^{+}$
Radicals :

• The species which do not contain a complete charge on the atom but contain only one electron on the atom to react. Such species are called radical.

• They have an unpaired electron in its atomic orbital and can exist independently.

• Example:

1. Formation of radical species benzoyl chloride$C_6{H}_5-COC{l}^{.}$

2. Methyl radical -$C{H}_3{}^{.}$