Naming Compounds

Last updated 7 years ago

First published 16 August, 2017

Flow chart for naming compounds!

Chemistry,Science,ions

English Rating: ALL ages Shortest path: 3 nodes Longest path: 7 nodes Possible solutions: 5

Robert Bumgarner

How do we name compounds? The cation ( ) has only a single ion. Example: Na (sodium) only has a 1 charge.. The cation ( ) has several variations of ions/It is most likely a transition metal. Example: Fe (Iron) can be 2 or 3 charge. SEE TABLE 2.3 , 2.5 , fig 2.21. The compound contains polyatomic ions in one or more of its parts.. Both of the parts of the compound are nonmetallic. It's probably an acid..
These are easiest when you memorize them, amigos. Use the clues you have from the elements involved and oxygen levels. Examples HF=Hydroflouric acid, HI = Hydroionic acid , HNO3 =Nitric Acid, HNO2 = Nitrous Acid.
What is the second part of the name? The remaining element should be the anion (-), this will be the second part of the name with 'ide' appended to the name. Cl = Chlorine 'ide' = Chloride.
Your final name should be a binary compound named in the order discussed above. NaCl = Sodium Chloride.
What is the charge on the cation? Use the charge number and convert it to a roman numeral. Iron that has a charge of 3 will be the first part of your name "Iron (III)".
What is the second part of the name? The remaining element should be the anion (-), this will be the second part of the name with 'ide' appended to the name. O = Oxygen 'ide' = Oxide.
Your final name should be your first name (cation) with a roman numeral followed by your second name (anion). For the compound that is shown next to the solution, the compound name would be Iron(III) Oxide..
Which specific ionic polyatomic compounds are there? Polyatomic ions don't necessarily follow naming trends. Check a table like 2.5 from your text to see if your polyatomic ion is there..
Use the naming conventions you find from a table (try to memorize most) and name just as you would for a simple Type 1 or 2 binary compound. Example: Pb(C2H3O2)2 will result in the naming of "Lead (II) Acetate" since acetate has a charge of -1..
What is the first element in the formula? Use that elements full name but append a prefix appropriate to its quantity. Example: N2O4 has nitrogen first, but there are two of them. Hence, the first name is dinitrogen..
What is the second element and its quantity? Attach the 'ide' suffix to the second portion (named as an anion) and use the appropriate prefix. N2O4 has the second part of its name as "tetroxide".
Your covalent compound should have a name similar to the following: N2O4 = "Dinitrogen Tetroxide"..