Final answer:
Ni(CH₃COO)₂ is an ionic compound known as nickel(II) acetate, consisting of the nickel cation (Ni²⁺) and the acetate anion (CH₃COO⁻). The only correct descriptor from the choices is that the compound contains nickel as a cation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The compound Ni(CH₃COO)₂ is nickel(II) acetate, which is an ionic compound consisting of the metal ion nickel(II) (Ni²⁺) and the polyatomic ion acetate (CH₃COO⁻). Given that it includes a transition metal (nickel) and a nonmetal (in the acetate ion), it's clear that this compound is ionic in nature.
- Option 1: The compound is not strictly molecular; it's an ionic compound. So, this option is incorrect.
- Option 2: This compound, as a nickel salt, generally would not be expected to have a sweet taste, and it is important to note that tasting chemicals in a laboratory setting is unsafe and not practiced. This option is incorrect.
- Option 3: The compound contains nickel as a cation. This is correct because in the compound Ni(CH₃COO)₂, the nickel ion serves as the cation paired with two acetate anions. Therefore, this option is correct.