GEN 0103

NAMING AND WRITING COMPOUNDS

Engr. Veronica F. Acosta

GE Faculty
College of Engineering
University of Perpetual Help System DALTA
February 14, 2019

1. Learning Outcomes
At the end of this module, the student should be able to
a. Differentiate molecule from compound
b. Write the correct formulas for different substances
c. Give the correct name of different substances

2. Introduction
This module gives the notion of compounds and molecules.
It focuses on the rules in naming and writing compounds and molecules. This is a narrow topic
and provides only condensed information. Hence, the reader is advised to treat it as a guide for
a more detailed readings.

3.
Formula – a combination of symbols that identifies a compound, an ion or a molecule of
an element.
-also indicates the relative quantities of the elements contained in the
compound or ion and implies some kind of chemical bonding between the
atoms.

A molecule contains two or more nonmetallic atoms bonded together.

 Seven elements occur as diatomic molecules (molecules with two atoms) when they are
not combined with other elements.
H2 , N2 , F2 , O2 , I2 , Cl2 , Br2

Formula Units
The collection of atoms represented by a formula is called a formula units. A chemical formula
consists of symbols of element(s) often with subscripts that tellshow many atoms of each
element are present per formula unit. Parentheses may be used in a formula to group bonded
atoms together, and a subscript after the closing parenthesis tells how many of that group are
present per formula unit.
Examples:
CO One carbon atom and one oxygen atom are bonded in one formula unit
Br2 Two atoms of bromine are bonded in one formula unit
H2O Two atoms of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen are bonded in one formula unit
(NH4)PO4 Three NH4 groups, each containing one atom of nitrogen and four hydrogen
atoms and one phosphorus atom and four oxygen atoms are present in one
formula unit.

Ionic compounds are always neutral; no net charge is present. The total positive charge
present on the ions that have lost electron always is exactly counterbalanced by the total
negative charge on the ions that have gained electrons.

RULES IN WRITING CHEMICAL FORMULAS

1. Write the symbol of the positive ion (can be either a monoatomic or polyatomic ion)
first then the negative ion (can be either a monoatomic or polyatomic ion).

Monoatomic ion – composed of one kind of atom only

Polyatomic ion - composed of two or more different kinds of atom

2. Balance the charges of the monoatomic ion or polyatomic ions by writing subscript
after each symbol to give an algebraic sum of zero. The subscripts indicates the number
of atoms or polyatomic ions needed in the formula.

3. Enclose the polyatomic ions in parenthesis if more than one group are required

4. Do not write a subscript of 1 , the presence of the symbol is sufficient.

5. If necessary divide the subscript with a common factor to give the lowest whole number
ratio.

Examples:

Ca+2 + Cl-  CaCl2

1(+2) + 2(-2) = 0
 Al+3 + Cl-  AlCl3

Ca+2 + SO4-2  CaSO4

NAMING IONIC COMPOUNDS FOR BINARY IONIC COMPOUNDS – POSITIVE ION HAS A
CONSTANT CHARGE

Binary compound – a compound in which two only elements are presents.

Binary ionic compound – an ionic compound in which one element present is a metal and the
other element present is a nonmetal. The metal is always present as the positive ion and the
nonmetal present as the negative ion.

Rule:
Full name of the metallic element is given first, followed by a separate word containing the
stem of the nonmetallic element name and change the ending letters with the suffix –ide.
Example: NaF – Sodium Flouride
BaCl2 - Barium Chloride

POSITIVE IONS WITH A CONSTANT CHARGE

+ : All Group IA elements, Ag

+2 : All Group IIA elements, Zn, Cd
+3 : Aluminum

NAMING IONIC COMPOUNDS FOR BINARY IONIC COMPOUNDS – POSITIVE ION HAS A
VARIABLE CHARGE

TWO WAYS OF NAMING: 1. The stock system of naming

2. Traditional naming

RULE:
 1. STOCK SYTEM OF NAMING:
Name the metallic element or positive ion, write and enclosed in a parenthesis the charge of
positive ion in roman numeral first, followed by a separate word containing the stem of the
nonmetallic element name and change the ending letters with the suffix –ide

Example: FeCl3 - Iron (III) Chloride

2. TRADITIONAL NAMING
Use the root name of the metallic element or the positive ion followed by ous ending for the
element with a lower charge or use the ic ending for the element with the higher charge.

Example: FeCl3 - Ferric Chloride

POSITIVE IONS WHOSE CHARGES VARY

Stock System Root Name

Copper I or Copper II Cupr
Mercury I or Mercury II Mercur
Gold I or Gold III Aur
Iron II or Iron III Ferr
Manganese II or ManganeseIII Mangan
Cobalt II or Cobalt III Cobalt
Nickel II or Nickel III Nickel
Chhromium II or Chromium III Chrom
Lead II or Lead IV Plumb
Tin II or Tin IV Stann
Cerium III or Cerium IV Cer
Arsenic III or Arsenic V Arsen
Antimony III or Antimony V Antimon
Bismuth III r Bismuth V Bismuth

NAMING IONIC COMPOUNDS CONTAINING POLYATOMIC IONS

Positive Ion has a constant charge

Rule :
Full name of the positive ion (can be a monoatomic or polyatomic ion) is given first, followed by
the name of the negative ion (polyatomic ion)

Example:
NaNO3 - sodium nitrate
NH4OH - ammonium hydroxide

Positive Ion has a variable charge

Rule:
You may use the stock system or traditional name in naming the positive ions followed by the
name of the polyatomic ion.
NAMING OF MOLECULES

Molecules consists of a nonmetal and a nonmetal.

RULE:

Use the prefix

Mono - 1 atoms
Di - 2 atoms
Tri - 3 atoms
Tetra - 4 atoms
Penta - 5 atoms
Hexa - 6 atoms
Hepta - 7 atoms
Octa - 8 atoms
Nona - 9 atoms
Deca -10 atoms

Example:
CO2 - Carbon Dioxide
N2O5 - Dinitrogen Pentoxide
CO - Carbon Monoxide

NOTE:
Do not use prefix mono for the first element , use it only for the second element
In using prefixes that end with “a” like tetra , drop the letter a if the beginning of the element
start with a vowel.
The name of the second element always bear the suffix “ide”.

Example:
P4O10 - tetraphosphurus decoxide

4. Review Question
Differentiate compounds from molecules

5. Problems
Name the following substances
1. SF6 6. FeCl3
2. N2S5 7. Al(OH)3
3. Cr(NO3)3 8. K3PO4
4. PbO2 9. SO3
5. CaCl2 10. CCl4
6. Assignment
1. Answer Review question
2. Answer problems
3. Submit your assignment (hardcopy, handwritten on SHORT bond paper ) on Tuesday
26 Feb. 2019 before 12NN.