Chemistry 151
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Molecular Representations and

Tables of Common Polyatomic Ions

List of Tables:

Graphical computer modeling has greatly improved our ability to represent three-dimensional structures. One of the goals of graphical computer modeling is to create a computer-generated model that appears to be three-dimensional. By replicating the effect of light on three-dimensional objects, computers can give the impression of depth to simulate a three-dimensional appearance. The use of interactive molecular viewing ( e.g., using the Chime program) has enhanced our understanding of molecular structure, especially in the biochemical area. By interactively rotating the molecules, a clear picture of the three-dimensional structure emerges. In addition, this increases our chemical intuition because it teaches us to look at two-dimensional images and visualize their three-dimensional structure in our brains.

This course uses different types of structural representations, such as 2D-ChemDraw, stick, CPK, and ribbon, to illustrate the structure of molecules and macromolecules. PDB files are also available for viewing the molecules interactively. Figure 1 is a segment of an alpha helix polypeptide string shown in four different types of computer-generated molecular representations. Although all four representations depict the same molecule, each has a distinct appearance and offers different information about the molecule’s structure.

 

 

Figure 1. A Segment of an Alpha Helix

The representations from left to right are 2D-ChemDraw, stick, CPK, and ribbon models. In the 2D-ChemDraw, stick, and CPK representations, carbon atoms are shown in gray (black), nitrogen atoms are shown in blue, and oxygen atoms are shown in red. In this figure, hydrogen atoms (light blue) are shown in the 2D-ChemDraw representation but hydrogen atoms are not shown in the other representations.

By examining the four representations in Figure 1, you can see that each picture tells us something different about the structure of the molecule. For instance, if we wanted to know how the atoms in an alpha helix are connected to one another, we would use 2D-ChemDraw or stick representation. To see the relative sizes of the atoms in an alpha helix, we would use the CPK representation. Descriptions of the four types of representations, their major strengths, and their drawbacks are given in the table below.

Table 1: Molecular Representations

Type of Representation
Description of Representation
Information Depicted
Particularly Well by Representation
Drawbacks of Representation
2D-ChemDraw Shows labeled atoms and bonds connecting atoms in a flat representation. Shows connectivities between atoms in small molecules; can also include lone pairs (i.e., Lewis-dot structures). Difficult to interpret for larger molecules; does not give a good idea of the molecule's three-dimensional structure.
STICK Shows the bonds between atoms as three-dimensional "sticks" that are often color-coded to show atom type. Shows connectivities between atoms; gives some idea of the molecule's three-dimensional shape. Does not depict the size (volume) of the molecule or its constituent atoms, and hence gives a limited view of the molecule's three-dimensional shape.
CPK1 Shows atoms as three-dimensional spheres whose radii are scaled to the atoms' van der Waals radii. Shows the relative volumes of the molecule's components; usually a good indicator of the molecule's three-dimensional shape and size. Difficult to view all atoms in the molecule and to determine how atoms are connected to one another.
RIBBON Shows molecules with a "backbone" (e.g., polymers, proteins) and depicts alpha helices as curled ribbons. Shows the secondary structure (such as locations of any alpha helices) of a protein. Used for proteins and other polymers; does not show individual atoms and other important structural features.
1These are also called space-filling models. CPK stands for the names of the three scientists who designed and developed this model to represent biological macromolecules in 1960.

Tables of Common Polyatomic Ions

The tables below list common polyatomic ions that you will be using throughout this General-Chemistry laboratory series (Chem 151-152). These ions are separated by charge on the ion into four (4) different tables and listed alphabetically within each table. For each polyatomic ion, the name, chemical formula, two-dimensional drawing, and three-dimensional representation are given.

The three-dimensional structures are drawn as CPK models. CPK structures represent the atoms as spheres, where the radius of the sphere is equal to the Van der Waals radius of the atom; these structures give an approximate volume of the polyatomic ion. In these tables, the three-dimensional structures have all been drawn to the same scale; therefore you can compare their relative sizes. In addition, the atoms in the CPK structures have been color-coded to match the two-dimensional drawings for easier comparison. Table 5 explores molecular representations that are commonly seen in biological and chemical fields. To view the ions interactively, please use Chime. For viewing and rotating the ions listed in the tables below, please click on the appropriate three-dimensional structure.

 

Table 2: Cations (+1 Charge)

Ion

Two-Dimensional Structure

Three-Dimensional Representation

Ammonium NH4+

2D ammonia

3D ammonia

Hydronium H3O+

2D Hydronium

3D Hydronium

 

Table 3: Anions (-1 Charge)

Ion

Two-Dimensional Structure

Three-Dimensional Representation

Bicarbonate HCO3-

2D Bicarbonate

3D Bicarbonate

Cyanide CN-

2D Cyanide

3D Cyanide

Hydrogen Sulfate HSO4-

2D Hydrogen Sulfate

3D Hydrogen Sulfate

Hydroxide OH-

2D Hydroxide

3D Hydroxide

Nitrate NO3-

2D Nitrate

3D Nitrate

Nitrite NO2-

2D Nitrite

3D Nitrite

Perchlorate ClO4-

2D Perchlorate

3D Perchlorate

Permanganate MnO4-

2D Permanganate

3D Permanganate

 

Table 4: Anions (-2 Charge)

Ion

Two-Dimensional Structure

Three-Dimensional Representation

Carbonate CO32-

2D Carbonate

3D Carbonate

Chromate CrO42-

2D Chromate

3D Chromate

Dichromate Cr2O72-

2D Dichromate

3D Dichromate

Hydrogen Phosphate HPO42-

2D Hydrogen Phosphate

3D Hydrogen Phosphate

Sulfate SO42-

2D Sulfate

3D Sulfate

Sulfite SO32-

2D Sulfite

3D Sulfite

Thiosulfate S2O32-

2D Thiosulfate

3D Thiosulfate

 

Table 5: Anions (-3 Charge)

Ion

Two-Dimensional Structure

Three-Dimensional Representation

Phosphate PO43-

2D Phosphate

3D Phosphate

Sci Links
Selected by the sciLINKS program, a service of the National Science Teachers Association. Copyright 2001.

 

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© 2004, Washington University.
Materials and Information present may be reproduced for educational purposes only.
Revised: 9/5/08 (M. Littrell)