Chemistry – Rules for Naming Compounds
Science
Ionic Compounds
Metals and Non-metals
Molecular Compounds
Transition metals and Non-metals
Polyatomic ions
hydroxide
nitrate
bicarbonate
Metal + chlorate
carbonate
sulfate
phosphate
Non metals only
OHNO3HCO3ClO3CO3-2
SO4-2
PO4-3
ammonium NH4+
Naming
Naming
1. Determine the charge of the nonSimple – change the ending metal and record above the element.
of the non-metal to “ide”. 2. Determine from the formula, the
Do not use captials.
charge of the metal required to balance
the non-metal.
3. Write this charge in Roman
numerals beside the metal in brackets.
4. Change the ending of the non-metal
to “ide” (unless it is a polyatomic ion)
Formula
1. Determine their ionic
charge and write above the
element.
Formula
1. Write the charge above each
element. The charge of the
transition metal will be given in its
2. Choose a method such as name.
2. Choose a method such as - Cross- Cross-over method
over method
- draw the ions
- draw the ions
to determine the formula
to determine the formula.
+ other
NH4+
Naming
1. If the metal comes from group 1 or
2 , use its name with the polyatomic
name.
OR
2. If the metal comes from the
transition metals, apply the rules in
column 2 for transition metals.
Formula
1. Write the charge above each element.
The charge of the polyatomic ion can be
found above. The charge of the transition
element will be given.
2. Use the cross-over method to
determine the formula. You may need to
bracket the polyatomic ion if you need
more than one of them to balance the
charge.
Naming
Use the following prefixes
infront of the element's name.
1 – mono
2 – di
3 – tri
4 – tetra
5 – penta
6 - hexa
7 – hepta
8 – octa
9 – nona
10 - deca
Formula
Replace the prefix in the
name with its corresponding
number.