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Naming Compounds

The document outlines the steps for naming chemical compounds, including identifying elements, naming metals first, and applying specific endings based on the number of elements present. It also discusses the use of prefixes to indicate the number of atoms in a compound and provides examples of common names for certain compounds. Additionally, it highlights exceptions to the naming rules, such as the case of hydroxide.

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10 views2 pages

Naming Compounds

The document outlines the steps for naming chemical compounds, including identifying elements, naming metals first, and applying specific endings based on the number of elements present. It also discusses the use of prefixes to indicate the number of atoms in a compound and provides examples of common names for certain compounds. Additionally, it highlights exceptions to the naming rules, such as the case of hydroxide.

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nnkeaikitse
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We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Notes for the learners (Pg 81- 82)

Steps for naming compounds


Step 1: Identify the elements in the compound: 𝐾2 𝑂
− 𝐾 - Potassium
− 𝑂 - Oxygen
Step 2: Write down the name of the metal first: Potassium
Step 3: If the compound contains only two elements name the second element and change
the ending to ‘ide’: oxygen → oxide
Step 4: If the compound contains three elements, one of which is oxygen, name the
element that is oxygen and change the ending to ‘ate’.

Example:
𝑀𝑔(𝑁𝑂3 )2 → Magnesium
→ Nitrogen → Nitrate
∴ Magnesium Nitrate

There are some exceptions to these rules. For example:


𝑂𝐻 - which is called hydroxide

When a metal is bonded with −𝑂𝐻 ; the compound name will end with ‘ide’. For example:
𝑁𝑎𝑂𝐻
Will be sodium hydroxide
not ‘ate’ even when there are 3 elements

Notes
Prefixes in compound names
Some compound names have prefixes to show the number of atoms of a certain element the
compound contains”
− Mono- means one,
− Di- means two,
− Tri – Three,
− Tetra
Examples:
− 𝐶𝑂 - is called Carbon Monoxide because one oxygen atom has combined with one
carbon,
− 𝐶𝑂2 - is called Carbon Dioxide because two oxygen atoms have combined with carbon
atom,
− 𝑆𝑂3 - Sulfur Trioxide because three oxygen atoms have combined with sulfur atom,
− 𝐶𝐶𝑙4 - Carbon Tetrachloride because four chlorine atoms have combined with the carbon
atom.

Common names of compounds


• Some compounds have common names that we use in everyday language. For example,
− 𝐻2 𝑂: Water,
− 𝑁𝐻3 : Ammonia
• Vinegar is the common name for ethanoic acid,
• These common names are used more often than their scientific names.

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