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Naming Compounds

The document outlines naming conventions for various types of chemical compounds, including ionic, covalent, acids, bases, and salts. It specifies rules for naming based on the elements involved, such as using prefixes for covalent compounds and the appropriate endings for acids based on the presence of oxygen. Additionally, it provides examples to illustrate the naming process for each category.

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Bhargav Mahawadiwar
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12 views2 pages

Naming Compounds

The document outlines naming conventions for various types of chemical compounds, including ionic, covalent, acids, bases, and salts. It specifies rules for naming based on the elements involved, such as using prefixes for covalent compounds and the appropriate endings for acids based on the presence of oxygen. Additionally, it provides examples to illustrate the naming process for each category.

Uploaded by

Bhargav Mahawadiwar
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

1.

Ionic Compounds (Metal + Non-Metal)

Rule: Single Element- First part- Metal | Second part- ide


Polyatomic Ions- First part- Metal | Second part- ate/ite

NEVER use prefixes (mono, di, tri).

 First part: Name the metal exactly as it appears on the periodic table.

 Second part (Single element): Change the ending of the non-metal to -ide. (e.g.,
NaCl = Sodium chloride)

 Second part (Polyatomic ion): If it is a group of atoms with oxygen, just use its
standard name ending in -ate or -ite. Do not change the ending. (e.g., Na₂SO₄ =
Sodium sulphate)

2. Covalent Compounds (Non-Metal + Non-Metal)

Rule: You MUST use prefixes to show the number of atoms (mono, di, tri, tetra, penta).

 First part: Name the first non-metal. Only use a prefix if there is more than one atom
(never start a name with "mono-").

 Second part: ALWAYS use a prefix to say how many atoms there are, and change the
ending to -ide. (e.g., CO₂ = Carbon dioxide)

3. Acids (Starts with Hydrogen)

Rule: The name depends entirely on whether it contains Oxygen.

 Without Oxygen (Binary): Start with hydro-, name the non-metal, and end with -ic
acid. (e.g., HCl = Hydrochloric acid)

 With Oxygen (Oxyacids): Drop the "hydro-" completely. Look at the polyatomic ion
inside:

o If the ion ends in -ate, Acid ends in -ic acid. (e.g., Sulphuric acid)

o If the ion ends in -ite, Acid ends in -ous acid. (e.g., Sulphurous acid)

4. Bases (Usually ends with OH)

Rule: Name the metal, then add "hydroxide".

 Example: NaOH = Sodium hydroxide. Ca(OH)₂ = Calcium hydroxide.

5. Salts (Made from an Acid + Base)

Rule: First name is the metal (from the base), Last name is the non-metal/ion (from the
acid).
 If the parent acid was a Hydro___-ic acid, Salt ends in -ide. (e.g., Hydrochloric acid
makes a Chloride salt).

 If the parent acid was an -ic acid, Salt ends in -ate. (e.g., Sulphuric acid makes a
Sulphate salt).

 If the parent acid was an -ous acid, Salt ends in -ite. (e.g., Sulphurous acid makes a
Sulphite salt).

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