Naming of Compounds

C. Binary Covalent Compounds

Covalent Compound - compound containing two nonmetals
RULES:

A Latin or Greek prefix is attached to the name of each element to indicate the
number of the atoms.
1 Mono
6 - Hexa
2 Di
7 - Hepta
3 Tri
8 - Octa
4 Tetra
9 - Nona
5 Penta
10 Deca
The prefix mono is never used for the first element.
If the name of the second element begins with a vowel and a prefix for that name
ends with either o or a (example mono and tetra) these letter are not used.
The name of the second element retains the ide ending.

Examples:
CO carbon monoxide
CO2 carbon dioxide
CCL4 carbon tetrachloride
N2O dinitrogen monoxide
N2F5 dinitrogen pentafluoride
D. Binary Acids
- contain hydrogen and non-metallic element
1. Write the prefix hydro followed by the stem of the second element and add the
suffix ic.
2. Write the word acid.
Examples:
HF hydrofluoric acid
H2S hydrosulfuric acid
HCL hydrochloric acid
HBr hydrobromic acid
HI hydroiodic acid
E. Naming Compounds Containing Polyatomic Ions
Polyatomic ions is a group of atoms that behaves as a unit and carries a net electrical
charge.

Polyatomic ions that contain oxygen are called oxy- anions, and generally have the
suffix ate or ite. The suffix ate form contains more O-atom than ite form.
Examples include sulfate (SO4), sulfite (SO3), nitrate (NO3), and nitrite (NO2). (or you
can see on periodic table label as anions)
Examples:
KMnO4 potassium permanganate
Cu2SO4 copper (I) sulfate or cuprous sulfate
Ca(ClO3)2 calcium chlorate
Fe(NO3)2 iron (II) nitrate or ferrous nitrate