Questions: What is wrong with writing the formula for tin(II) bicarbonate as Sn2(HCO3)2 ?

Transcript text: What is wrong with writing the formula for tin(II) bicarbonate as $\mathrm{Sn}_{2}\left(\mathrm{HCO}_{3}\right)_{2}$ ?

Solution

Solution Steps

Step 1: Identify the correct formula for tin(II) bicarbonate

The correct formula for tin(II) bicarbonate should balance the charges of the tin(II) cation and the bicarbonate anion. Tin(II) has a charge of $ +2 $ and the bicarbonate anion ($\mathrm{HCO}_3^-$) has a charge of $ -1 $.

Step 2: Balance the charges

To balance the charges, we need two bicarbonate anions to balance the $ +2 $ charge of one tin(II) cation. Therefore, the correct formula should be $\mathrm{Sn}(\mathrm{HCO}_3)_2$.

Step 3: Evaluate the given options

The bicarbonate anion contains only 2 oxygen atoms. (Incorrect, $\mathrm{HCO}_3^-$ contains 3 oxygen atoms.)
Only 1 tin(II) cation is needed to balance the anion charge, so no subscript is needed on the tin. (Correct, as explained in Step 2.)
The symbol for tin is $T n$. (Incorrect, the symbol for tin is $\mathrm{Sn}$.)
3 bicarbonate anions are needed to balance the charge from the tin(II) cation. (Incorrect, only 2 bicarbonate anions are needed.)