Rules for Naming Ionic and Covalent Compounds and Acids

1. Look at first element in the compound.

a. Metal
i. How many elements does it contain?
1. Two
a. Ends in “-ide”
i. Does it contain a transition metal?
1. Add a Roman numeral to the name!
2. Three
a. Ends in “-ate” or “-ite”
i. Does it contain a transition metal?
1. Add a Roman numeral to the name!
b. Non-metal
i. Ends in “ide”
ii. Use prefixes
1. Mono
2. Di
3. Tri
4. Tetra
5. Pent
6. Hex
7. Hept
8. Oct
9. Non
10. Dec
iii. Don’t use mono on the first element
c. Hydrogen
i. How many elements does it have?
1. Two
a. “Hydro”_______”ic” acid
HCl is Hydrocloric acid
2. Three
a. “ate” becomes “ic” acid
b. “ite” becomes “ous” acid