Question

The formula of hydroxyl ion is:
A. ${ OH }^{ + }$
B. ${ OH }^{ - }$
C. ${ H }^{ + }$
D. None of the above

Answer 1

Hint: Try to recall the dissociation of water molecules. It forms two ions, one is hydronium and the other is hydroxide. Here hydroxide ion is also known as hydroxyl. Now try to answer this with the correct option.

Complete step by step answer:

You should be familiar that hydroxide is also called hydroxyl or hydroxide ion. It consists of hydrogen and an oxygen atom which are held together by a covalent bond. The hydrogen carries a negative electric charge. It is represented as ${ OH }^{ - }$.
The ion forms salts where some of them dissociate in aqueous solution to liberate solvated hydroxide ions. It is a minor constituent of water.
When a strongly electropositive center and hydroxide are attached to each other, hydroxide may ionize itself to liberate a hydrogen cation, and makes the parent compound as an acid.
A hydrogen ion ${ H }^{ + }$ is created when a hydrogen atom loses or gains an electron. A positively charged hydrogen ion (or proton) can readily combine with other particles.

Therefore, we can conclude that the correct answer to this question is option B.

Additional information:
${ OH }\bullet$ which is the electrically neutral compound is the hydroxyl radical.
 –OH, which is the covalently-bound group is the hydroxyl group. The hydroxyl group and hydroxide ions are nucleophiles and function as catalysts in organic chemistry.

Note: You should know that hydroxyl ion is widely used for alkalization of urine to prevent kidney stones, an anticoagulant for stored blood, and buffer. It acts as a ligand, a catalyst, a base, and a nucleophile.