Periodate ion (IO₄⁻)
- Charge
- −1
- Atoms
- I, O × 4
- Atoms in total
- 5
- Mass of the ion
- 190.896 g/mol
Periodate is one iodine atom surrounded by four oxygen atoms, with a 1− charge. Iodine is in its highest oxidation state, +7, so 7 − 8 = −1. It is a strong oxidizing agent used mainly in labs, for example to split sugar molecules apart and to stain carbohydrates in tissue samples.
- The name is per- plus iodate, said “per-EYE-oh-date,” and it has nothing to do with the periods of the periodic table.
- Because the iodine atom is large, it can also hold six oxygens, forming the orthoperiodate ion, IO₆⁵⁻.
- Sodium periodate, NaIO₄, is the periodate salt most often used in chemistry labs.
Compounds that contain periodate
NaIO4 Sodium periodate
KIO4 Potassium periodate