if an ion contains unpaired electrons, it is called a "radical" ion. just like uncharged radicals, radical ions are very reactive. polyatomic ions containing oxygen, such as carbonate and sulfate, are called "oxyanions". molecular ions that contain at least one carbon to hydrogen bond are called "organic ions". if the charge in an organic ion is formally centred on a carbon, it is termed a "carbocation" (if positively charged) or "carbanion" (if negatively charged).