Nomenclature - a set of rules the provide symbols and/or formulas Nomenclature (Ionic Compounds)

for chemical substances. It allows there to be a universal language to Ionic compounds - a bond where electrons have been
be understood between chemists across the world. fully transferred from a metal or non-metal to the
other.
REMEMBER: ionic = metal + non-metal
Number Prefix When writing formulas for ionic compounds;
1 Mono 1. The positive cation (metal) always comes first in
the equation
Nomenclature (Covalent Compounds) 2 Di 2. The negative anion (non-metal) always comes
Covalent compounds - a bond where second
electrons are shared. 3 Tri 3. Use the crossover rule;
REMEMBER: covalent = 2 non-metals 4 Tetra Na+ Cl- —> NaCl Mg2+ P3- —> Mg3P2
When naming covalent compounds; 3+ -
Al Br —> AlBr3 Sn4+ S2- —> SnS2
1. Do not reduce to lowest terms 5 Penta
2. Do not apply any crossover rules The crossover rule;
3. Do not use ‘Mono’ on the first 6 Hexa -Write the metal first with the element’s charge
element (only use it if it is on -Write the non-metal with the element’s charge
7 Heat
second or later element in the bond) -Take the charges and cross them over and change
4. Second element: remove ending and 8 Octa them to subscript and remove ‘+’ or ‘-‘ symbol
add ‘-ide’ -Reduce subscripts to lowest terms
5. Use the table of prefixes to write the 9 Nona
names To name ionic compounds;
10 Deca 1. Reverse the crossover rule to determine the charge
CO2 —> Carbon dioxide of each element
H2O —> Dihydrogen monoxide 2. Check charge on periodic table to make sure that
C3F7 —> Tricarbon heptaflouride charges weren’t reduced to lowest terms (this is
important when naming multivalent ions as the
charge is important and included in roman
numerals)
3. If there is polyatomic ions present, check periodic
table sheet to see the name of the ion (do not
change the endings of these)
4. Name the metal (unchanged) and then name the
non-metal BUT the non-metal ending will be
Weights of Compounds removed and replaced with ‘-ide-
The method for determining the weight of a compound is the same for K3N —> K1+N3- —> Potassium nitride
both covalent and ionic compounds. SnSe2 —>Sn2+ Se1- —> these charges don’t match on
Steps; periodic table (should be Se2-) —> multiple charges by
1. Count the atoms of each element 2 to match Se charge —> Sn4+Se2- —> Tin (IV)
2. Locate the molecular weight of each element on the periodic table selenide
and multiply the number of atoms of an element by the elements Li(NH4) —> Li1+ NH4+—> Lithium ammonium
molecular weight
3. Add the molecular weights together to calculate the compounds
weight Counting Atoms of an Element
1. Subscripts indicate the number of atoms of the
Examples; element it is attached to
1. Na3N2F6 —> Na = 3 , N = 2 , F = 6 2. If there is no number, it is assumed that there is 1
2. Na = 22.99u (x3) = 68.97u , N = 14.01u (x2) = 28.02u , F = atom of the element
19.00u (x6) = 114.00u 3. C2 = 2 atoms of carbon | Br = 1 atom of bromine 

3. 68.97u + 28.02u + 114.00u = 211.05u H7 = 7 atoms of hydrogen
4. Polyatomic ions, if more than one is present, the
1. Mg6(NO3)2 —> Mg = 6 , N = 2 , O = 6 subscript will be located outside brackets (this
2. Mg = 24.31 (x6) = 145.86u , N - 14.01 (x2) = 28.04u , O = 16.00 number will multiply the subscripts within the
(x6) = 96.00u brackets to determine number of atoms for each
element)
NH4 : N = 1 and H = 4 | (SO4)5 : S = 5 and O = 20
(ClO2)2 : Cl = 2 and O = 4
Helpful Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch? If there is number before the equation, you multiply
v=nijb6UMvZuE that to ALL element subscripts (if polyatomic ion has
Photo Citation: more than 1 present, you multiply the number and two
Gilmore, B. (2014). Naming Inorganic Compounds; Lesson 1. subscripts)
Retrieved from https://slideplayer.com/slide/8687441/ 4Mg(NH4) : Mg = 4 , N = 4 and H = 16
2Ca(NO2)3 : Ca = 2 , N = 6 and O = 12