Is it
ionic?
no
Use prefixes for
the subscripts.
yes
no
Does the second
ion end with ide?
Does it start
with hydro-?
yes
Start with H. Look at
oxidation on the
second ion, and use
that as subscript.
no
no
yes
Use the periodic table
for oxidation
numbers. Use
subscripts to make the
compound neutral.
Name according
to the number of
carbons.
no
yes
Is it an
acid?
yes
Is it
organic?
Does it end
with -ic?
yes
Use the common ions
table for oxidation
numbers. Use
subscripts to make the
compound neutral.
no
The second ion ends
with –ite. Start with H,
and use the oxidation
of the –ite as your
subscript.
The second ion ends
with –ate. Start with
H, and use the
oxidation of the –ate
as your subscript.
Is it
ionic?
no
no
yes
Is it an
acid?
yes
no
Is it
binary?
no
no
yes
Change the end
of the second
ion to –ide.
Does the
polyatomic ion’s
name end with –
ate?
yes
Use the name
of the second
ion as is.
Count each atom and
use prefixes. Change
the ending of the
second atom’s name
to –ide.
yes
Start the name with
hydro-, then change
the end of the second
ion’s name to –ic. Add
acid.
yes
Does the
name end
with -ide?
Is it
binary?
Count the
carbons and
name accordingly
yes
Is it
organic?
no
no
Change the end of
the polyatomic ion’s
name to –ous. Add
acid.
Change the end of
the polyatomic ion’s
name to –ic. Add
acid.