When an ion has an "ate" suffix, how is it changed to have an "ic" suffix?

The "ate" suffix indicates that the ion in question is part of a polyatomic ion containing oxygen. When changing the suffix from "ate" to "ic," the process typically involves the removal of oxygen atoms from the polyatomic ion. For example, if you take a sulfate ion (SO₄²⁻), which has the "ate" suffix, and remove one oxygen, you convert it to a sulfate ion with a different suffix, known as sulfite (SO₃²⁻), which now has the "ite" suffix, or if you were to look at a hypothetical transformation where you move to an "ic" form, it indicates a more oxidized state.

This change in suffix reflects a change in the number of oxygen atoms in relation to the more basic ion, often moving toward a higher oxidation state or a distinct form of the ion. It is a common naming convention in chemistry, particularly among oxyanions. Therefore, modifying the oxygen content is key to transitioning from "ate" to "ic."