Anionien

Anionien is a term encountered in some contexts to refer to anions, negatively charged ions. The standard English term is anions, and in German the equivalent is Anionen. The form "anionien" is rare and not part of the formal IUPAC nomenclature. When used, it generally designates the same class of species: atoms or molecules that have gained electrons and thus bear a net negative charge.

Anions originate from atoms or molecules that have extra electrons, typically by gaining one or more electrons or by deprotonation of acids to form conjugate bases. They are characterized by occupying positions opposite to cations in compounds, and they migrate toward the anode in electrochemical cells.

Common examples include chloride (Cl−), nitrate (NO3−), sulfate (SO4^2−), carbonate (CO3^2−), phosphate (PO4^3−), and hydroxide (OH−). Their sizes, charges, and hydration influence properties such as solubility, reactivity, and mobility. In aqueous solutions they interact with cations to form salts.

In natural systems, anions participate in mineral formation, buffering, and signaling. In industry, they are central to electroplating, water treatment, and battery chemistries, as well as analytical chemistry techniques such as ion chromatography and electrophoresis.

Terminology note: while "anionien" may appear in some texts or as a stylistic variant, authoritative chemistry literature typically uses "anions" (English) or "Anionen" (German). The concept remains the same: negatively charged species derived by electron gain or conjugate-base formation.