Naming Compounds
Compounds
• Compounds = Chemical combinations of
elements
• Compounds = 2 or more atoms bonded
together
• All the compounds we will work with this year
are called binary compounds (2 elements)
Examples
NaCl
Binary Compound
C2H6
Binary Compound
C6H12O6
Not a Binary Compound
Naming a Binary Compound
Step 1: Type of Bond
Ionic
Add or remove eCharged ions
No molecules
Metal + Nonmetal
?
Covalent
Share eNeutral atoms
Forms molecules
Nonmetals only
Before you name a compound you must
determine the type of bond that holds it
together
Naming a Binary Compound
Option 1: Ionic Compounds
NaCl
Sodium Chlorine
Sodium Chloride
First, name the
elements present
Then, change the
ending of the
nonmetal to “-ide”
Examples
LiF
Lithium Fluoride
CaO
Calcium Oxide
K2S
Potassium Sulfide
AlBr3
Aluminum Bromide
Ga2O3
Gallium Oxide
Naming a Binary Compound
Option 2: Covalent Compounds
H2O
Hydrogen Oxygen
Hydrogen Oxide
First, name the
elements present
Then, change the
ending of the 2nd
nonmetal to “-ide”
One more
important step…
Naming a Binary Compound
Option 2: Covalent Compounds
H2O
Hydrogen Oxide
Mono = 1
Di = 2
Tri = 3
Tetra = 4
Penta = 5
Hexa = 6
Hepta = 7
Octo = 8
Nano = 9
Deca = 10
dihydrogen monoxide
Look at the subscripts and add the appropriate
prefix to each word
Naming a Binary Compound
Option 2: Covalent Compounds
C2H4
Carbon
Hydride
Mono = 1
Di = 2
Tri = 3
Tetra = 4
Penta = 5
Hexa = 6
Hepta = 7
Octo = 8
Nano = 9
Deca = 10
dicarbon tetrahydride
Look at the subscripts and add the appropriate
prefix to each word
Naming a Binary Compound
Option 2: Covalent Compounds
CO2
Carbon
Oxide
Mono = 1
Di = 2
Tri = 3
Tetra = 4
Penta = 5
Hexa = 6
Hepta = 7
Octo = 8
Nano = 9
Deca = 10
carbon dioxide
One last thing, the prefix “mono” is left off of
the first element
Examples
CH4
Carbon tetrahydride
N 2H 2
Dinitrogen dihydride
C6H6
Hexacarbon hexahydride
Si3Cl8
Trisilicon octochloride
CO
Carbon monoxide