CHEMICAL

NOMENCLATURE of
INORGANIC COMPOUNDS
 RULES IN WRITING FORMULAS
A compound maybe assumed to consist of a
positive and a negative part.

Write the symbol of the positive part before the

symbol of the negative part.
Na+ + Cl1- → Sodium + Chlorine
Ca2+ + Br- → Calcium + Bromine 
Ca2+ + AsO43- → Calcium + Arsenate
NH4+ + O2- → Ammonium + Oxygen
NH4+ + AsO43 → Ammonium +
Arsenate
Since a compound is always
neutral, i.e. the algebraic sum of
the oxidation states is always zero.
To do this, crisscross the valences. The
valence of the positive part becomes the
subscript of the negative part and the
valence of the negative part becomes the
subscript of the positive part.
Na+ + Cl1- →Na1Cl1 → NaCl

Ca2+ + Br- → Ca1Br2 → CaBr2

Ca2+ + AsO43- → Ca3 [AsO4]2 →

Ca3(AsO4)2
When the subscript is supposed to
be 1, it is no longer written after
the symbol
Radical or polyatomic (meaning two or more
atoms) are joined together by covalent bonds
stay together as a single, charged unit.
Since a compound shows the simplest ratio in
which the positive and negative are combined:
Omit writing subscripts whenever
subscripts(by rule 3) are numerically equal

Ca2+ +  O2- → Ca2O2 → CaO

Whenever possible, reduce the subscript to the simplest

whole number ratio. Be sure not to alter the correct
formula of any radical.
Whenever a radical need a subscript,
enclose it first with a parenthesis. If
the original already contains
parenthesis, use a bracket.

Fe3+ + Cr2O72- →Fe2(Cr2O7)3

 RULES IN NAMING COMPOUNDS

Binary Compound is a compound formed

from two different elements. There may or may
not be more than one of each element
When naming binary ionic compounds, name
the cation first (specifying the charge, if
necessary), then the nonmetal anion (element
stem + -ide).
NaCl  Sodium chloride
AlBr3  Aluminum bromide
Ca3P2  Calcium phosphide
SrI2  Strontium iodide
Compounds whose positive part is
multivalent (can exist in more than
one oxidation state)
A. OLD METHOD – the use of the suffix OUS if
the element exists in the lower oxidation state
and the suffix IC if the element exists in the
higher oxidation state. Latin names or stems
may be used.
B.STOCK SYSTEM – the positive element
is given followed by its oxidation state
written in Roman numerals and enclosed
in a parenthesis and then the name of
the negative part with its last letters
changed to IDE
 
CompoundCharge Name(Old Method)
Name(Stock Method)
Cu2O Cu is +1 cuprous oxide
copper(I) oxide
CuO Cu is +2 cupric oxide
copper(II) oxide
FeCl2 iron is +2 ferrous chloride
iron(II) chloride
FeCl3 iron is +3 ferric chloride
iron(III) chloride
C.STOICHIOMETRIC PROPORTIONS
may be denoted by the use of Greek
or Latin prefixes.

SO2 sulfur dioxide

SO3 sulfur trioxide
N2O dinitrogen monoxide
NO nitrogen monoxide
NO2 nitrogen dioxide
N2O4 dinitrogen tetroxide
N2O5 dinitrogen pentoxide
 Acids
Binary acid – an acid composed of hydrogen and
negative element. To name acids, the
prefix hydro- is placed in front of the nonmetal
modified to end with –ic.
HF (g) = hydrogen fluoride -> HF (aq) = hydrofluoric acid

HBr (g) = hydrogen bromide -> HBr (aq)

= hydrobromic acid

HCl (g) = hydrogen chloride -> HCl (aq) = hydrochloric acid

H2S (g) = hydrogen sulfide -> H2S (aq) = hydrosulfuric acid

Oxyacids – acids containing oxygen. To name,
use the suffix IC for the acid-forming element
or radical followed by the word ACID

HClO3 hydrogen chlorate chloric acid

H2SO4 hydrogen sulfate sulfuric acid

Oxyacids whose acid-forming element is
multivalent. Use the suffix OUS for the acid-
forming occurs in the lower oxidation state
and IC if in the higher oxidation state.
If the ion ends in -ate and is added with an
acid, the acid name will have an -ic ending.
Examples: nitrate ion (NO3-) + H+ (denoting
formation of acid) = nitric acid (HNO3).
If the ion ends in -ite and is added with an acid, then
the acid name will have an -ous ending.
Example: nitite ion (NO2-) + H+ (denoting formation of
acid) = nitrous acid (HNO2)
If more than two acids can be formed
from the same elements because of
multivalency, use the prefix HYPO for the
lowest oxidation state and PER for the
highest oxidation state.
Salts of Oxyacids
To name, give the name of the positive
element or radical and follow with the
name of the negative radical
CaCO3 Calcium carbonate
Mg(C2H3O2)2 Magnesium acetate
Iron(III) hydroxide or ferrous
Fe(OH)3
hydroxide
Cr3(PO4)2  Chromium(II) phosphate
CrPO4 Chromium(III) phosphate
Sodium hydrogen carbonate
NaHCO3
or sodium bicarbonate
Bases
To name, give the name of the metal and follow
it with hydroxide
NaOH is sodium hydroxide,
KOH is potassium hydroxide
Ca(OH)2 is calcium hydroxide.
NH4OH is ammonium hydroxide.