Naming Covalent Compounds
(and comparing them to ionic
compounds)
Properties of Covalent
compounds

Covalent compounds are typically formed
from nonmetals

Molecules – this is the single unit of
compounds characterized by covalent bonding

Exist as discrete molecules in the solid, liquid,
and gas states. They carry no charges.
Naming Covalent Compounds:
1)
List the least electronegative first. First atom only
keeps it’s name and only uses a prefix if there is
more than one
2)
List the most electronegative second. Second atom
ends with “ide” and always uses a prefix to tell how
many atoms of each there are:

mono = 1 atom
di = 2 atoms
tri = 3 atoms
tetra = 4 atoms
penta = 5 atoms




hexa = 6 atoms
hepta = 7 atoms
octo = 8 atoms
nono = 9 atoms
deca = 10 atoms
Naming Covalent Compounds:
4)
There are no charges in covalent
compounds so there is no crisscrossing or
uncrossing or roman numerals.
Properties of Ionic compounds
– Ionic compounds are usually solids at room
Temperature
Melting and Boiling Points
– Ionic compounds have much higher melting
points and boiling points than covalent compounds
–– Ionic compounds typically melt at several
hundred degrees Celsius
Properties of Ionic compounds
•They exist in a crystal state so we refer to the smallest
ratio of ions in the crystal as their formula unit
•When dissolved in water, ionic compounds
break into ions (charged particles) and can
conduct electricity through the solution.