Selenate

Structure of selenate

The selenate ion is SeO₄²⁻.

Selenates are analogous to sulfates and have similar chemistry. They are highly soluble in aqueous solutions at ambient temperatures.

Unlike sulfate, selenate is a somewhat good oxidizer; it can be reduced to selenite or selenium.

In strongly acidic conditions, the hydrogen selenate ion, HSeO₄⁻, is formed. It corresponds to the selenic acid, H₂SeO₄, which is a strong acid and can in its concentrated form dissolve gold.