The H3O+ ion is called the what?

Question

I thought it was Hydronium, but according to my professor, it's incorrect.

Was I supposed to label it Hydronium 'ion,' or am I fully incorrect?

Answer 1

I think he is being pedantic.  Ask him if there is a "Hydronium" that is not an ion?  If hydronium, of itself, must be an ion, then the use of the word "ion" with the word hydronium is actually redundant.  Only a pedant, a nitpicker, would call the one incorrect and require the redundant form.  Look at how frequently the term "hydroxide" is used without saying "ion" as a valid comparison.  He knows exactly what you mean and there is no possible confusion or ambiguity, so it is not wrong.

But that is my opinion, and I have gotten into trouble with other scientists for this same sort of disagreement.  It turns out (surprise, surprise) that scientists generally don't like being called pedants, especially when they are.

Answer 2

In chemistry, hydronium (hydroxonium in traditional British English) is the common name for the aqueous cation H 3 O +, the type of oxonium ion produced by protonation of water

Source(s): wikipedia

Answer 3

Pure water contains larger amounts of hydronium, [H3O+], ions than hydroxide, [OH-], ions. Pure water contains equal amounts of hydroxide, [OH-], and hydronium, [H3O+], ions. Pure water contains equal amounts of hydroxide, [OH-], and hydronium, [H3O+], ions.