1. Charge Balance:
* The sulfide ion (S²⁻) has a -2 charge.
* The lead(IV) ion (Pb⁴⁺) has a +4 charge.
To achieve a neutral compound, we need to balance these charges.
2. Finding the Ratio:
* The least common multiple of 2 and 4 is 4.
* To get a total charge of +4, we need two sulfide ions (2 x -2 = -4).
* To get a total charge of -4, we need one lead(IV) ion (+4).
3. Formula:
Therefore, the formula for the ionic compound is PbS₂.
Important Note: This compound is called lead(IV) sulfide.
