Chapter 5: Molecules and Compounds

Section 3:
Naming Compounds
Naming Compounds
Chemists have developed systematic ways to
name compounds.
 If you learn the naming rules, you can examine a
compound’s formula and determine its name,
and vice versa.
Many compounds also have a common name.
 NaCl has the common name salt and the
systematic name sodium chloride.
I. Binary Compounds – composed of 2
kinds of elements

A. Metals and Non-metals

1. Metals with one oxidation number
and non - metals
Binary Compounds
Binary compounds are those that
contain only two different elements.
The names for binary compounds
containing a metal with only one
oxidation number:
Name of Cation + Base Name of Anion + ide
Binary Ionic Compounds
Binary Ionic Compounds
Since the charge of the metal is always
the same for these types of compounds,
it need not be specified in the
compound’s name.
 Example: MgF2
Practice
Name these compounds:
 CaO Calcium oxide
 Al2O3 Aluminum oxide
 KF Potassium fluoride
 MgCl2 Magnesium chloride
 Li3N Lithium nitride
Practice
Write the formula for these ionic
compounds:
 Potassium bromide

 Sodium oxide

 Zinc nitride
2. Metals with 2 oxidation numbers
and non- metals
a. stock method
Binary Compounds
If the cation could have more than one
charge, then the charge must be
specified in the metal’s name.
 We specify the charge with a Roman
numeral (in parentheses) following the
name of the metal.
Binary Ionic Compounds
For example, we distinguish between
Cu+ and Cu2+ by writing a (I) to indicate
the 1+ ion or a (II) to indicate the 2+ ion:
 Cu+ Copper(I)
 Cu2+ Copper(II)
Binary Ionic Compounds
These compounds are named using the
following form:

Name of (charge of metal in Base Name of

Cation
+ roman numerals)
+
Anion + ide
Binary Ionic Compounds
We can determine the charge of the
metal from the chemical formula of the
compound.
 The sum of all the charges must be zero.
Binary Ionic Compounds
What is the charge of iron in FeCl3?
 +3
What is the name for FeCl3?
 Iron (III) Chloride

 FeCl2 Iron (II) chloride

Practice
Name the following compounds:
 PbCl4 Lead (IV) chloride PbCl4

 PbO Lead (II) oxide

Explain why CaO is not named

Calcium (II) oxide. Calcium oxide
Practice
Write the formula for the following
compounds:
 Chromium (II) chloride

 Tin (IV) oxide

 Iron (III) oxide