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NAMING CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS
A. Compounds With Only 2 Elements
Compounds with only 2 elements in their formula are called binary compounds (bi = 2).
When naming binary compounds, follow these simple rules:
1. The name of the metal element stays the same and comes first.
2. The name of the nonmetal element is shortened and “-ide” is added at the end.
Examples:
AlO
à
aluminum oxide
FeS
à
iron sulfide
CaCl
à
calcium chloride
ZnBr
à
zinc bromide
Practice Questions:
Formula
Write the Name of the Compound Here:
1. LiCl
2. NaCl
3. NaS
4. MgO
5. NaF
6. CoBr
7. NaP
8. NiH
B. Compounds With MORE Than 2 Elements
Sometimes, there will be more than two atoms in the chemical formula (however, there is
hardly ever a two metals in the same compound). To name these compounds, use Greek
prefixes to describe how many atoms of each there are and use the rules below:
Basic Greek Prefixes For Describing Compounds
1 = mono
2 = di
3 = tri
4 = tetra
5 = penta
1. The name of the metal element stays the same and always comes first.
2. The name of the nonmetal element is shortened and “-ide” is added at the end.
3. If there is more than one non-metal atom, add the prefix before the nonmetal name!
Examples:
CO2 à carbon dioxide
CCl4 à carbon tetrachloride
Practice Questions:
Formula
Write the Name of the Compound Here:
9. MgF2
10. MgBr2
11. CaCl2
12. MnH3
13. TiS2
14. TiO2
C. Compounds With MORE Than 2 Elements – Polyatomic Ions
Sometimes, certain nonmetals combine and stay together as a single unit, even during
reactions. These unique groups of elements are called polyatomic ions, but can also be
called functional groups. Each polyatomic ion has a special name. Follow the steps below:
1. Write the name of the metal element first and leave it unchanged.
2. Write the name of the functional group without changing the ending.
A List of the Most Common Polyatomic Ions
- CO3
carbonate
- PO4
phosphate
- HCO3
bicarbonate
- NO3
nitrate
- SO4
sulfate
- OH
hydroxide
Examples:
CaCO3 à calcium carbonate
AlSO4 à aluminum sulfate
NaOH à sodium hydroxide
NaNO3 à sodium nitrate
Practice Questions:
Formula
15. MgCO3
16. MgPO4
17. NaSO4
18. KOH
19. KNO3
20. NaHCO3
21. LiOH
22. ZnSO4
Write the Name of the Compound Here: