By John Weide

with modifications by Ken Costello

Compounds are two or more
elements that are held together by
opposite charge attraction.

12 (+) Magnesium-12 Oxygen-8 8 (+)

10 (-) 10 (-)
+2 Charge -2 Charge

Metal Non-metal
Metals combine with non-metals
Metals loose electrons to non-metals
They then attract because their charges will be opposite.
 -3 -2 -1

Most of the
negative ions
have a set
negative charge
+1 -1
+2 +3 -3 -2

+1+2
 For example the oxy-salts of chlorine,
bromine and iodine have many trends in
common. Look for them below……

perbromate BrO4-1 periodate IO4-1

perchlorate ClO4 -1
bromate BrO3-1 iodate IO3-1
chlorate ClO3 -1
bromite BrO2-1 iodite IO2-1
chlorite ClO2 -1
hypobromite BrO-1 hypoiodite IO-1
hypochlorite ClO -1

The next table contains the polyatomic

ions that need to be committed to
memory. Remember to learn the name,
formula and oxidation number
 POLYATOMIC IONS (charged building
blocks)
Polyatomic ions are mostly made of two non-metals.
Ions with -1 charge nitrate NO3-1 sulfite SO3-2
perbromate BrO4-1 nitrite NO2-1 chromate CrO4-2
bromate BrO3-1 dichromate Cr2O7-2
bromite BrO2-1 hydroxide OH-1 oxalate C2O4-2
hypobromite BrO-1 cyanide CN-1
perchlorate ClO4-1 Ions with a -3 Charge
chlorate ClO3-1 acetate C2H3O2-1 phosphate PO4-3
chlorite ClO2-1 Permanganate MnO4-1 phosphite PO3-3
hypochlorite ClO-1 bicarbonate HCO3-1 arsenate AsO4-3
periodate IO4-1
iodate IO3-1 Ions with a -2 Charge Ions with +1 charge
iodite IO2-1 carbonate CO3-2 ammonium ion NH4+1
hypoiodite IO-1 sulfate SO4-2
These polyatomic ions match the charge of the
single element
Ions with -1 charge
-1
perbromate BrO4-1
bromate BrO3-1
bromite BrO2-1
hypobromite BrO-1
perchlorate ClO4-1
chlorate ClO3-1
chlorite ClO2-1
hypochlorite ClO-1
periodate IO4-1
iodate IO3-1
iodite IO2-1
hypoiodite IO-1
These polyatomic ions match the charge of the
single element
Ions with a -2 Charge -3 -2
sulfate SO4-2
sulfite SO3-2

Ions with a -3 Charge

phosphate PO4-3
phosphite PO3-3
It is also important to memorize the
oxidation of the ions that have fixed
oxidation numbers (positive or negative).
In particular, those from groups 1A,
2A, 3A, 4A, 5A, 6A, 7A, 8A and the
elements: Zn, Cd and Ag. Use the
following periodic chart to determine their
oxidation numbers. Just click on the
element symbol…
 Elements with Fixed Oxidation Numbers
+1+2 +3-4-3-2-1 0
1A 7A 8A
H 2A 3A 4A 5A 6A H He

Li Be B C N O F Ne
Click on element to see its
Na Mg oxidation number(s) Al Si P S Cl Ar

K Ca Sc Ti V Cr Mn Fe Co Ni Cu Zn Ga Ge As Se Br Kr

Rb Sr Y Zr Nb Mo Tc Ru Rh Pd Ag Cd In Sn Sb Te I Xe

Ce Ba La Hf Ta W Re Os Ir Pt Au Hg Tl Pb Bi Po At Rn

Fr Ra Ac Rf Db Sg Rh Hs Mt

Ce Pr Nd Pm Sm Eu Gd Tb Dy Ho Er Tm Yb Lu
Next Slide
Th Pa U Np Pu Am Cm Bk Cf Es Fm Md No Lr
 Naming Ionic Compounds
The positive ion (usually a metal) is
CuSO4 named first while the negative ion (a
non-metal or a polyatomic ion) is
named last.
Cu?SO4-2
The charge on the negative ion is used
to determine the charge on the positive
x +(-2)=0 ion.
In-order for the total oxidation state to
X=2 be zero, the total positive charge must
equal the total negative charge. A
simple algebraic equation can be used
to determine the charge on a single
metal ion.
Copper (II) Sulfate
This charge is expressed as a “Roman
Numeral” in parenthesis that
immediately follows the name of the
metal.
 Naming Ionic Compounds
The positive ion (usually a metal) is
Cu2SO4 named first while the negative ion (a
non-metal or a polyatomic ion) is
named last.
Cu2+xSO4-2
The charge on the negative ion is used
to determine the charge on the positive
2x +(-2)=0 ion.
In-order for the total oxidation state to
x=1 be zero, the total positive charge must
equal the total negative charge. A
simple algebraic equation can be used
to determine the charge on a single
metal ion.
Copper (I) Sulfate
This charge is expressed as a “Roman
Numeral” in parenthesis that
immediately follows the name of the
metal.
 Naming Ionic Compounds
• If the positive ion is one that has a fixed oxidation
number then no Roman Numeral is used.
• Everyone should know the charge of fixed ions. These
include metals in group 1A, 2A and the specific metals:
Al, Zn, Cd & Ag (zinc, cadmium and silver).

CaSO4
Calcium Sulfate

No Roman Numeral
If the ionic compound is binary it will end in “-ide”.
However, not all compounds that end in “-ide” are
binary. For example sodium hydroxide has the
formula…NaOH (three different kinds of atoms).

If the negative ion is a polyatomic ion the compound is no

longer binary. The ending will be that carried by the
polyatomic ion. These endings are either “-ate” or
“-ite.”

Hydrated compounds are named using a combination of

both the stock system and prefixes. A prefix is used
to denote the number of water molecules attached to
the ionic formula. “hydrate” is used as the name
indicating that water is attached. For example,
copper(II) sulfate pentahydrate has the formula
CuSO4.5H2O
Examples #1- Formulas to Names
1.Write the names of
the ions CuSO3
2. Determine the Cu+2
x SO3-2
charge of the positive =
ion X + (- 2)I’m
= 0a
+2 0 +2
The polyatomic
You sum
mustofknow
the the
positive
and negative charges X =ion
+2
charge on the sulfite
must
ion isequal
-2 zero

copper (II) sulfite

Final Name
Next
Examples #2- Formulas to Names
1.Write the names of
the ions

I’m a
KMnO4 polyatomic
ion

potassium permanganate
If the positive Final
ion has a fixed charge,
Name
you are finished.
Examples #3- Formulas to Names
1.Write the names of
the ions
2.Determine the
charge of the
positive ion

I’m a
NH4NO3 polyatomic
ion

ammonium nitrate
If the positive ionFinal
has Name
a fixed charge, you
are finished.
Examples #4- Formulas to Names
1.Write the names of
the ions
2.Determine the
charge of the X = +2
positive ion X + 2(-1) = 0
Snx (F-1)2 = 0
SnF2

tin (II) fluoride

Final Name
Examples #5- Formulas to Names
1.Write the names of
the ions
2.Determine the
charge of the
positive ion

I’m a
Ba(ClO4)2 polyatomic
ion

barium perchlorate
If the positive ion has a fixed charge, you are
finished. Final Name
Examples #6- Formulas to Names
1.Write the names of
the ions
2.Determine the
charge of the X = +1
positive ion 2X + (-2) = 0
2Cux (S)-2 = 0
I’m not a
Cu2S polyatomic
ion

copper (I) sulfide

Final Name
Examples #6- Formulas to Names
1. Write the names
of the ions Cu2S
2. Determine the (Cu+1x )2 S -2
charge of the positive
ion 2X + (- 2) = 0
+2 +2
The
You sum
mustofknow
the the
positive
and negative
charge on thecharges
sulfide 2X = +2
must
ion isequal
-2 zero 2 2
X = +1

copper (I) sulfide

Final Name
Next
Examples #7- Formulas to Names
1.Write the names of
the ions
2.Determine the
charge of the X = +1
positive ion 2X + (-2) = 0
2(Nax)(Cr2O7)-2 = 0
I’m a
Na2Cr2O7 polyatomic
ion

sodium (I) dichromate

If the positive ion has
a fixed
Finalcharge,
Name it is
not shown
Examples #10- Formulas to Names
1.Write the names of
the ions
2.Determine the
charge of the
positive ion

I’m a
LiCN polyatomic
ion

lithium
If the positive ion has acyanide
fixed charge, you
are finished. Final Name
 Writing Ionic Formulas
• It is easier to write the formula of an
ionic compound from its name than the
reverse.
• The oxidation number of the negative ion
must be memorized in all cases. Refer to
the table of polyatomic ions.
Example #1-Names to Formulas
1. Write symbols of
elements
2. Determine number
of ions
(Al+3 )x(Cl-1)y= 0
What is the Lowest aluminum chloride
If there is noMultiple
Common Roman “LCM”
Numeral,
of 3 andyou1.need
Dotonot
know
theworry
fixed oxidation
about the number of
sign(+/-)

Al1Cl 3
the positive ion.

Final
If there is only one atomFormula
the “1” is not shown
Next
Example #1-Names to Formulas
1. Write symbols of
elements aluminum chloride
2. Determine number
of ions (Al+3 )x(Cl-1)y
If there is no Roman
Remember
Numeral,
For
What youallmust
compounds
aluminum,
is the know the
Lowest x(+3) + y(-1) = 0
This For
formula says that
chloride,
are
oxidation
oxidation
a 1 neutral,
Common number
number
is thus
ofthe
of
multiplied
Multiplethe“LCM”
the +3a 3charge of one Al
is multiplied 1(+3) + 3(-1) = 0
the total
positive
times
of 3 positive
ion.
the
and +31.tocharge
give
Do not
atom
timeswill
thecancel
-1 tothe-3
give
must
a
worry +3equal the
charge
charge a -3 chargethe
from about
3 Cl atomssign(+/-)
total negative charge
Al1Cl3
If there is only
Final one atom
Formula
the “1” is not shown
Next
Example #2-Names to Formulas X 1
1. Write symbols of =
Y 2
elements 2X = 1y
2. Determine number
X(+2) + y(-1) = 0
of ions
(Co+2)x(BrO3-1)y= 0
cobalt(II) bromate

Choose the lowest

set of integers that Co1(BrO
BrO3)2
satisfies the equation
If there is only
Final one atom
Formula
the “1” is not shown
Next
Example #3-Names to Formulas X 1
1. Write symbols of =
Y 3
elements 3X = 1y
2. Determine number
of ions X(+3) + y(-1) = 0
(Ni+3)x(C2H3O2-1)y= 0
nickel(III) acetate

Choose the lowest

set of integers that Ni1(C
C2H3O2)3
satisfies the equation
Final
If there Formula
is only one atom
the “1” is not shown
Next
Example #4-Names to Formulas X 3
1. Write symbols of =
Y 1
elements 1X = 3y
2. Determine number
of ions X(+1) + y(-3) = 0
(Li +1 )x(PO4-3)y= 0
lithium phosphate
If there is no Roman
Choose
Numeral, youthe lowest
need to know
set of
the fixed integersnumber
oxidation that of
the satisfies the equation
positive ion.
Li3(PO
PO4)1
Final
If there Formula
is only one atom
the “1” is not shown
Next
 Practice Problems
By now you should have an idea of what is
expected when naming covalent binary
compounds using prefixes.

In order to master this naming system you

need to practice until you feel proficient in
naming compounds using prefixes.
 Practice Problem #1
Fe(NO3)3
Choose the correct name for the
compound

1. Iron trinitrate
2. iron(I) nitrate
3. iron(III) nitrite
4. iron(III) nitrate
5. none of the above
Periodic Chart Polyatomic Ions next problem
 Practice Problem #2
sodium chlorite
Choose the correct formula for the
compound

1. NaCl

2. NaClO

3. NaClO2

4. Na(ClO)2
5. none of the
above
Periodic Chart Prefixes next problem
 POLYATOMIC IONS
Ions with -1 charge nitrate NO3-1 sulfite SO3-2
perbromate BrO4-1 nitrite NO2-1 chromate CrO4-2
bromate BrO3-1 hydroxide OH-1 dichromate Cr2O7-2
bromite BrO2-1 cyanide CN-1 oxalate C2O4-2
hypobromite BrO-1 thiocyanate SCN-1 peroxide O2-2
perchlorate ClO4-1 acetate C2H3O2-1
chlorate ClO3-1 Permanganate MnO4-1 Ions with a -3 Charge
chlorite ClO2-1 bicarbonate HCO3-1 phosphate PO4-3
hypochlorite ClO-1 phosphite PO3-3
periodate IO4-1 Ions with a -2 Charge arsenate AsO4-3
iodate IO3-1 carbonate CO3-2
iodite IO2-1 phthalate C8H4O4-2 Ions with +1 charge
hypoiodite IO-1 sulfate SO4-2 ammonium ion NH4+1

return
 Oxidation Numbers (most common)
-2
-3
-4
+3
+2
+1
-1
0
1A +1 +2 +2 +3 +2 +4 7A 8A
H 2A 3A 4A 5A 6A H He

Li Be B C N O F Ne
Click on element to see its
Na Mg oxidation number(s) Al Si P S Cl Ar

K Ca Sc Ti V Cr Mn Fe Co Ni Cu Zn Ga Ge As Se Br Kr

Rb Sr Y Zr Nb Mo Tc Ru Rh Pd Ag Cd In Sn Sb Te I Xe

Ce Ba La Hf Ta W Re Os Ir Pt Au Hg Tl Pb Bi Po At Rn

Fr Ra Ac Rf Db Sg Rh Hs Mt

Ce Pr Nd Pm Sm Eu Gd Tb Dy Ho Er Tm Yb Lu
return
Th Pa U Np Pu Am Cm Bk Cf Es Fm Md No Lr