Coverage

Ionic and binary covalent compounds

Figure 1. Periodic table with common charges of elements, plus a list of common polyatomic
anions/cations.

Naming compounds

Initial Check

If the compound contains only two non-metals, then the compound is a BINARY COVALENT
COMPOUND

Else, we will be naming an Ionic compound

I. COVALENT COMPOUNDS

Formulas from names

1. Write the symbol of the first element, then the second element.
2. Based on the Greek prefix, write down the number of atoms per molecule.
• If there is no prefix for the first element, this means that there is one atom for that
element

Example: Nitrogen hexachloride

𝑁𝑋 𝐶𝑙𝑌 Write down each element

Write down the equivalent number of
𝑁1 𝐶𝑙6 atoms per element based on the Greek
prefix
Drop the 1 (Do not simplify subscripts if
𝑁𝐶𝑙6 Covalent)
Names from formulas

1. Write down the names of the elements based on the symbols

2. Change the second element to its root word + “ide”
3. Write down the Greek prefix corresponding to each element
• Drop mono if it is the first element listed

Example: 𝑆2 𝑂3
Sulfur Oxygen Write down the elements
Sulfur Oxide Change the second element to ide
 Disulfur trioxide Add prefixes

Table of Greek Prefixes

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

II. Ionic Compounds

Naming ionic compounds are based on the Cation and Anion in the compound

Cations
• Positive ions, can be either a metal or a polyatomic cation
• See periodic table above
Anions
• Negative ions, can be either a non-metal or a polyatomic anion
• See periodic table and list above

Naming Cations

• Cations with multiple oxidation states can be named either via the systematic name or
the common name
• The systematic name is based on the charge of the atom. Name the Cation with the
name of the atom immediately followed by it’s charge in roman numerals inside a
parenthesis
• The common name is based on an old system of naming wherein you use the latin name
of an atom (if applicable) then adding -ous (if the oxidation state is lower) or -ic (if the
oxidation state is higher).
• An exception for the rule is mercury with two oxidation states but existing as a diatom
at the lower oxidation state:
𝐻𝑔22+ 𝐻𝑔2+

• Cations that can be named based on systematic name are the following:
1. Chromous/Chromic 2+/3+
2. Cuprous/Cupric 1+/2+
3. Ferrous/Ferric 2+/3+
4. Manganous/Manganic 2+/3+
5. Mercurous/Mercuric 1+/2+*
6. Stannous/Stannic 2+/4+
Naming Anions

• Anions can be named simply by keeping the root word and adding “-ide”
• Polyatomic anions can be seen via the list at the table
• Oxoanions can be named based on the number of oxygen atoms

For two oxoanions

“-ate” for more oxygen atoms - sulfate

“-ite” for less oxygen atoms - sulfite

For four oxoanions

“per-“ plus “-ate” for most oxygen atoms - perchlorate

“-ate” for more oxygen atoms - chlorate

“-ite” for less oxygen atoms - chlorite

“hypo-” plus “-ite” for least oxygen atoms - hypochlorite

Hydrates of Ionic compounds

• Hydrates of ionic compounds have a number of water units

• Write down hydrates as a dot with the formula for water after the formula for the ionic
compound
• For naming, add a Greek prefix followed by hydrate.
Examples:
Formula to Name:

Simple: Li2O
Lithium Oxide Since lithium is no a transition metal, just
add the name of the Cation and the Anion
Li1+ O2- To make sure, check the possible
Li2- O1+ combinations based on the oxidation
number. Remember to cross
Li2 O1 Remove the signs of the charges

Transition Metal Cation: Fe3N2

Iron Nitrogen Write down the names of the metal and
nonmetal
Iron (II) Since these are transition metals, write
Iron (III) down the possible charges
FeX N3- ->> Fe3N2 Computing for the signs can be done via
Fe3Nx ->> 3 = 3 algebra
->> X = 2
Iron (II) nitride Using the computation we find that the
Or charge of Fe is 2+, reminder that we use -
Ferrous oxide ous for lower charge
Polyatomic Cation and Anion: Mg (NO3)2
Magnesium Nitrate Write down the names of the metal and
polyatomic anion
Mg2+ (NO3)-1 For checking:
Mg (NO3)2 since magnesium is not a transition metal
we know that the charge is simply +2
(group 2a or 2)
While the nitrate ion has a charge of -1
(from table)

Water of hydration: Mg(NO3)2•5H2O

Magnesium Nitrate pentahydrate Lets just copy the earlier example, but
add the greek prefix penta plus hydrate

Name to Formula:

Simple: Zinc iodide

Zn2+ I1- Since the metal has only one possible
charge, just write down the Symbols
Zn1I2 Cross multiply
ZnI2 simplify

Polyatomic Anion and Cation: Ammonium Dichromate

NH4+ Cr2O7 2- Check the table for the polyatomic ions
(NH4) 2- (Cr2O7) 1 Cross multiply don’t forget to include
parenthesis
(NH4) 2 Cr2O7 Drop the parenthesis, the negative
symbol and the invisible 1

Transition Metal Cation: Mercury (I) Chlorate

Hg22+ ClO3- Write down the symbol of the elements
Note that the mercury with 1+ oxidation
number needs to have 2 atoms of
mercury
(Hg2)1- (ClO3)2 Cross multiply
Hg2(ClO3)2 Remove the parenthesis and the charge
and invisible 1 for mercury

Transition Metal Cation with hydrate: Mercury (II) Chlorate monohydrate

Hg2+ ClO3- Write down the symbol of the elements
Unlike the earlier example above, use the
2+ version
(Hg)1- (ClO3)1 Cross multiply
HgClO3•H2O Remove the parenthesis and add the
amount of hydrates. Mono being 1 water
molecule