Naming and Writing
Compounds
Names and
Formulas have
meaning!
Naming Ionic Compounds
• Naming Ionic Compound Steps (When
given the formula)
– 1. Name the cation (metal) first.
– 2. Name the anion (nonmetal) second
changing the ending to "ide."
Examples
• LiF
_______________________________
• Na2S
_______________________________
• MgCl
_______________________________
Writing Ionic Compounds
• Writing Ionic Compounds Steps (When
given the name)
– 1. Write the cation and anion with charges.
– 2. Use subscripts to balance out the charge to
zero.
Examples
• Lithium Oxide
______________________________
• Calcium Selenide
_______________________________
• Magnesium Fluoride
_______________________________
Naming Covalent Compounds
• Naming Covalent Compound Steps (When
given the formula)
– 1. Name the atoms present in the compound
by adding the correct greek prefixes based on
the number of atoms.
– 2. Do not use the prefix Mono if there is only
one of the first listed element.
Examples
• P2F4
_______________________________
• N2O4
_______________________________
• NO2
_______________________________
Writing Covalent Compounds
• Writing Covalent Compounds Steps
(When given the name)
– 1. Write formula for the compound in order of
the atoms given.
– 2. Use the greek prefix to know the subscript
that should be used for each atom.
Examples
• Dinitrogen Trioxide
_______________________________
• Phosphorus Triiodide
_______________________________
• Hexaboron Monosilicide
_______________________________