Chemistry question

Question

When naming formulas, when do you use the suffixes -ite and -ate?

Answer 1

The “-ate” suffix is used to refer to the conjugate base of a common acid. It is used when referring to the most common oxyanion of the molecules family. For example, nitric acid (HNO3) is commonly encountered in nature/labs/biology so it’s conjugate bade NO3- is awarded the title nitrATE. Then if you subtract one oxygen you get the cousin with the “-ite” suffix- nitrITE (NO2-).