<P> An acetate / ˈæsɪteɪt / is a salt formed by the combination of acetic acid with an alkaline , earthy , or metallic base . `` Acetate '' also describes the conjugate base or ion ( specifically , the negatively charged ion called an anion ) typically found in aqueous solution and written with the chemical formula C H O . The neutral molecules formed by the combination of the acetate ion and a positive ion ( called a cation ) are also commonly called `` acetates '' ( hence , acetate of lead , acetate of aluminum , etc . ) . The simplest of these is hydrogen acetate ( called acetic acid ) with corresponding salts , esters , and the polyatomic anion CH CO , or CH COO . </P>
what is the name for the ch3coo - ion
polyatomic anion