Chapter 4 Nomenclature
4.1 Naming Compounds that contain a Metal and a Nonmetal
Binary Ionic Compound
Type I Compounds
Cation is always named 1st, and the anion second
A simple cation takes its name from the element.
A simple anion is named with the root of the element name
and adding the suffix –ide.
Examples:
CsF
AlCl3
MgI2
Rb2O
SrI2
K2S
Table 4.1
Type II Compounds
Older nomenclature: the cation with the higher charge ends in –ic
the cation with the lower charge ends in –ous.
Examples:
CuCl
CuCl2
Stock system- naming system using Roman numerals in parentheses
for the charges; no other suffixes are needed (This is the most
commonly used system)
Examples:
CuCl
HgO
MnO2
PbCl4
Fe2O3
Table 4.2
4.2 Naming Binary Compounds that contain only Nonmetals
(Type III)
Prefixes:
Mono-
hexa-
Di-
hepta-
Tri-
octa-
Tetra-
nona-
Penta-
deca-
(Sometimes it is appropriate to eliminate an extra vowel sound:
decaoxide to decoxide)
Do not use prefix for mono- on 1st element if it is only one.
Continue to use suffix –ide on second element name
Examples:
CCl4
NO2
IF5
BF3
NO
N2O5
Figure 4.1: A flow chart for naming binary
compounds.
4.4 Naming Compounds that contain Polyatomic Ions
YOU MUST MEMORIZE THESE!!
Oxyanions:
hypochlorite
chlorite
chlorate
perchlorate
Examples:
Na2SO4
KH2PO4
Fe(NO3)3
Mn(OH)2
Na2SO3
Ca(OH)2
Na3PO4
KMnO4
(NH4)2Cr2O7
Co(ClO4)2
KClO3
Ca(NO2)2
Table 4.4
Figure 4.2: Overall strategy for naming
chemical compounds.
4.5 Naming Acids
Binary Acid (no oxygen). Use prefix hydro-, and suffix –ic
Examples:
HCl
HBr
HI
H2S
H2Se
HF
Tertiary acids (oxygen present)
If anion ends in –ite, acid ends in –ous.
If anion ends in –ate, acid ends in –ic.
Examples:HNO3
HNO2
HC2H3O2
H2SO4
H2SO3
H3PO4
H3PO3
HClO
HClO2
HClO3
HClO4
4.6 Writing Formulas from Names
Criss-cross method (always check that a neutral compound is made)
(You cannot reduce subscripts that would change a polyatomic ion)
(BUT you should reduce subscripts in other cases)
Magnesium oxide
Examples:
tin(II)oxide
potassium hydroxide
Cobalt (III) nitrate
calcium chloride
tin(IV)oxide
sodium carbonate
lead (IV) oxide
Dinitrogen pentoxide
ammonium perchlorate
Ammonium sulfate
vanadium (V) fluoride
Disulfur dichloride
rubidium peroxide
Aluminum oxide