Guide to Naming Compounds:

Metal and nonmetal? Then its an ionic compound!

Nonmetals only? Then its a covalent compound!

Ionic Compounds:

Ionic compounds are formed from the combination of metal cation(s) with

nonmetal anion(s).
Step 1: Write the symbol for metal first (located on left of the periodic table). Write the charge
as a superscript next to the symbol.
Step 2: Write the symbol for nonmetal second (located on the right side of the periodic table).
Write the charge as superscript next to the symbol.
Step 3: Criss-cross applesauce.
Example: Metal + Nonmetal Ionic Compound
Example: Ca +2 + Br

-1

CaBr2

Ionic Compound with a transition metal:

*The roman numeral is the charge of the metal.
Example: CoCl2 is cobalt(II) chloride.

Covalnet Compounds:

2 or more nonmetals USE PREFIXES IN NAMING!

Step 1: The name of the first nonmetal is given first (preceded by a prefix if multiple atoms are
present).
Step 2: Then the name of the second nonmetal atoms is given (preceded by a prefix if needed).
The ending of the second nonmetal is changed to ide.

Prefixes:
Mono for one
Di for two
Tri for three

Tetra for four

Penta for five
Hexa for six

Hepta for seven

Octa for eight
Nona for nine

Example: CO2 is carbon dioxide. N2O5 is dinitrogen pentoxide.

Deca for ten