Which compound has a -1 charge and is known as acetate?

The compound known as acetate is represented by the formula C2H3O2, which carries a -1 charge. Acetate is the conjugate base of acetic acid and is commonly found in various chemical reactions and biological processes.

Understanding the composition of acetate helps clarify its identity. It consists of two carbon atoms, three hydrogen atoms, and two oxygen atoms. This arrangement gives acetate its characteristic structure, where one of the oxygen atoms is responsible for the negative charge due to its ability to accept a hydrogen ion (H+). This negative charge is significant in accounting for how acetate behaves in chemical reactions, particularly in its role as a ligand in coordination chemistry or as a reactant in organic synthesis.

In contrast, the other compounds listed do not correspond to acetate. For instance, C2O4 represents the oxalate ion, which has a -2 charge. The NO3 ion, known as nitrate, carries a -1 charge but is different from acetate both structurally and chemically. Lastly, the SO4 ion, or sulfate, has a -2 charge. Each of these compounds has distinct properties and applications, but they do not define acetate, which is specifically identified by its C2H3O2 formula and -1