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Rules for Naming Compounds (by Taylor C, 2004, modified by TEM 2015)
- Separated into 3 major types of Compounds (Molecular, Ionic and Acids)
1.Molecular Compounds (2 Non-metals)
A. Chemical Formula to Chemical Name
- Prefix (see table below) to denote number of atoms of the first element (if number is greater than 1)
- Name first element
- Prefix (see table below) to denote number of atoms of the second element (if number is 1, use "mono")
- Add suffix "ide"
B. Chemical Name to Chemical Formula
- Write down symbol for each non-metal element & add appropriate subscript number from prefix
- Remember, if there is no prefix, it is a subscript of 1
Prefix Table |
mono - 1 |
tetra - 4 |
hepta - 7 |
deca - 10 |
|
di - 2 |
penta - 5 |
octa -8 |
tri - 3 |
hexa - 6 |
nona - 9 |
2.Acids (Molecular Compounds that we treat as Ionic)
- Note: All acids begin w/ "H"): Name acids by anion
A. Chemical Formula to Chemical Name
- A. Anion ends in "ide"
- Use prefix "hydro-"
- Name anion
- Change suffix "ide" to "ic"
- Add word "acid"
- B. Anion ends in "ite"
- Name anion
- Change suffix from "ite" to "ous"
- Add word "acid"
- C. Anion ends in "ate"
- Name anion
- Change suffix from "ate" to "ic"
- Add word "acid"
B. Chemical Name to Chemical Formula (same for all acids)
- Find prefix & suffix and determine name of anion
- Find anion symbol(s) charge from anion name
- Balance the negative charge of anion with "H="
- Write chemical formula, anion will always have subscript 1, it is just what subscript of H is.
3.Ionic Compounds (since made of ions, need to make sure you have memorized your ions, see Anion table below).
- A. Metal & Non-metal
- Name metal
- Name non-metal
- Drop end of non-metal name and add suffix -ide
- Backwards
- Write down symbol of metal & charge
- Write down symbol of non-metal & charge
- Total "+" charge equals "-" charge
B. Metal & Polyatomic Ions
- Name metal
- Name polyatomic (no Prefixes)
- Backwards:
- Give down appropriate symbols and charge
- Balance charges
- Use paranthesis if subscript is greater than 1, and with polyatomics
C. Compounds containing metals w/ more than one possible charge
- Name metal w/ appropriate Roman Numeral (from apporopriate charge)
- Name non-metal or ployatomic
- Backwards:
- Write down symbol and charge for metal & anion (metal charge from Roman numeral)
- Balance charges to determine subscripts
Additional Information needed