Chemical

Nomenclature
Contents:
I. Types of Chemical Compounds
1. Classifying rules
2. Categorize: ionic or covalent
3. Categorize: binary or ternary
II. Naming Ions
1. Monatomic Anions*
2. Monatomic Cations*
3. Polyatomic Anions and Cations*
III. Naming Ionic Compounds
1. Rules
2. Binary ionic compounds*
3. Ternary ionic compounds*
4. Random (binary and ternary) ionic compounds*
IV. Naming Molecular Compounds
1. Rules
2. Practice*
V. Naming Acids
1. Naming rules
2. Practice*
VI. Naming Hydrates
1. Naming rules
2. Hydrate practice*
* Determine name when given formula
Determine formula when given name

Chapter Review Problems

I. Types of Chemical Compounds

Classifying rules
Ionic compounds contain metal and non-metals
Covalent (molecular) compounds contain only non-metals
Classify the following compounds as ionic or molecular
1. CaCl2

_________________ 11. MgO

2. CO2

_________________ 12. NH4Cl __________________

3. H2O

_________________ 13. Sr(NO3)2 _________________

4. Na2SO4 _________________ 14. KI

__________________

__________________

5. K2O

_________________ 15. Ba(OH)2 _________________

6. NaF

_________________ 16. NO2

__________________

7. Na2CO3 _________________ 17. Ca3(PO4)2 ________________

8. CH4

_________________ 18. FeCl3

__________________

9. Mg(NO3)2 ________________ 19. P2O5

__________________

10. LiBr

__________________

_________________ 20. N2O3

Classifying rules
Binary ionic compounds contain one atom (monatomic) ions only
Example: Rb2O contains two Rb+ cations and one O2- anion
Ternary ionic compounds contain at least one polyatomic ion
Example: RbNO3 contains one Rb+ cation and one NO32- anion
Classify the following as binary ionic or ternary ionic
21. KOH

_________________ 26. Na2Cr2O7 ________________

22. CoO

_________________ 27. MgSO4 __________________

23. Fe(NO3)2 ________________ 28. Cu2S ___________________

24. MgH2 __________________ 29. SnO2 ___________________
25. Cs2S

_________________ 30. NH4NO3 _________________

II. Naming Ions

Rules for Monatomic Anions
When naming, take the
non-metal name, remove the
ending and replace with it with
-ide and then write the word ion
When writing the formula, remove the ide and find the charge the atom
will take as an ion on the periodic table. Write it as a superscript.
Together
1. S2-

_________________ 3. bromide ion

_____________

2. N3-

_________________ 4. telluride ion

_____________

You try it
5. F-

_________________ 7. iodide ion _________________

6. N3-

_________________ 8. selenide __________________

Rules for Monatomic Cations

Rule A
When naming, if the atom only takes one charge when forming an ion,
simply write the name of the atom and then write ion
When writing the formula, look up the charge from the periodic table and
write it as a superscript above the elements symbol.
9. Na+

_________________ 11. aluminum ion ____________

10. Mg2+

_________________ 12. silver ion

____________

Rule B
When naming, if the atom can form more than one charge when forming an
ion, take the name of the atom that the ion is formed from, place the charge
as a Roman numeral in parentheses, and then add ion.
When writing the formula, write the symbol with the positive charge as a
superscript indicated in the parentheses.
13. Pb2+

_________________ 15. copper (I) ion ____________

14. Fe2+

_________________ 16. copper (II) ion___________

Monatomic ion and cation practice

1. N3-

_________________

2. lithium ion

_________________

3. Ni+

_________________

4. oxide ion

_________________

5. Cl-

_________________

6. sulfide ion

_________________

7. Ag+

_________________

8. zinc ion

_________________

9. cobalt (II) ion _________________

10. fluoride ion

_________________

Rules for Polyatomic Ions (both Anion and Cation)

When naming, look up the name on the periodic table (often these names
end in -ite or -ate, common exception is hydroxide OH-)
When writing the formula, look up the formula on the periodic table
9. NO3-

_________________ 13. perchlorate ion ____________

10. NH4+

_________________ 14. sulfate ion

11. OH-

_________________ 15. carbonate ion ____________

12. PO43-

_________________ 16. acetate ion

____________
____________

Naming Ions Review

Formula to name
1. Ca2+
_________________
2. O2-

_________________

3. H+

_________________

4. Cu+

_________________

5. Fe3+

_________________

6. CO32+

_________________

7. NH4+

_________________

8. Zn2+

_________________

9. N3-

_________________

10. Cl-

_________________

11. F-

_________________

12. Zr4+

_________________

Name to formula
13. sodium ion

_________________

14. phosphide ion

_________________

15. phosphate ion

_________________

16. iron (II) ion

_________________

17. strontium ion

_________________

18. nickel (II) ion

_________________

19. tin (II) ion

_________________

20. sulfate ion

_________________

21. sulfite ion

_________________

22. sulfide ion

_________________

23. iridium ion

_________________

24. potassium ion

_________________

III. Naming Ionic Compounds

When writing the formula:
When ions combine, they form neutral compounds.
These formulas are written in lowest, whole-number
ratios. These formulas are called formula units.
An ionic compound is referred to as a salt. One of the most common ionic
compounds is NaCl, which is why we refer to it as salt or table salt.
To determine the formula for an ionic compound you must determine the
charge on each ion and then calculate how many of each ion must be
brought together so that the charges are equal.
Example: Aluminum oxide
This compound is ionic (metal and non-metal) and, therefore is crystalline in
structure. It contains aluminum ions (Al3+) and oxide ions (O2-) in a repeating
three dimensional arrangement. Every repeating unit of aluminum oxide has
two Al3+ ions and three O2- ions.
2 Al3+ ions contain a total positive charge of 2 x 3 = +6
3 O2- ions contain a total negative charge of 3 x 2 = - 6
This makes a neutral compound
Rules for Naming Ionic Compounds
Rule A
Example: CaI2
This compound contains one Ca2+ ion and two I- ions in a 1:2 ratio.
According to the periodic table, the metal calcium only ever takes on a 2+
charge, naming this compound is simply Calcium Iodide. The non-metal
drops its normal ending and you add -ide.
Rule B
Example: MnO2
This compound contains one Mn+4 ion and two O2- ions in a 1:2 ratio.
According to the periodic table Mn could be +2 or +4. Since the two oxygens
produce a combined -4 charge, the charge on Mn must be +4.
Since it is +4 this must be indicated in the name: Manganese (IV) oxide.
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Binary Ionic Compounds

Formula to name
1. Cs2S
_________________ 8. FeF3

__________________

2. BaO

_________________ 9. Mg3N2

__________________

3. AlI3

_________________ 10. Ni3P2

__________________

4. MnO2

_________________ 11. UO2

__________________

5. Tc3P4

_________________ 12. HF

__________________

6. CdBr2

_________________ 13. CoN

__________________

7. NaCl

_________________ 14. K2S

__________________

Name to formula
15. rubidium sulfide

_________________

16. mercury (II) oxide

_________________

17. calcium nitride

_________________

18. zinc bromide

_________________

19. uranium (VI) fluoride

_________________

20. silver phosphide

_________________

21. platinum (II) selenide

_________________

22. europium (II) nitride

_________________

23. cesium phosphide

_________________

24. lead (II) chloride

_________________

25. cadmium oxide

_________________

26. tin (IV) fluoride

_________________

27. iron (II) oxide

_________________

28. iron (III) oxide

_________________

29. copper (II) sulfate

_________________

30. chromium (III) chloride

_________________

More Binary Ionic Compounds

1. KBr

_________________

2. V2O5

_________________

3. cobalt (III) oxide

_________________

4. barium phosphide

_________________

5. cadmium nitride

_________________

6. Cu3P

_________________

7. Ag2S

_________________

8. Sn3N4

_________________

9. radium iodide

_________________

10. beryllium selenide

_________________

11. Fe2S3

_________________

12. SrO

_________________

13. CrCl2

_________________

14. mercury (II) fluoride

_________________

15. lead (IV) bromide

_________________

16. CuSe

_________________

17. FeP

_________________

18. lithium oxide

_________________

19. cobalt (III) fluoride

_________________

20. CdI2

_________________

Ternary Ionic Compounds

1. calcium nitrite

_________________

2. BaSO4

_________________

3. silver acetate

_________________

4. SrSO3

_________________

5. nickel (II) phosphate

_________________

6. Na2CO3

_________________

7. LiHCO3

_________________

8. ammonium phosphate

_________________

9. Be(ClO)2

_________________

10. aluminum oxalate

_________________

11. rubidium dichromate

_________________

12. KHSO3

_________________

13. calcium hydroxide

_________________

14. manganese (II) silicate

_________________

15. HCN

_________________

16. cesium hydrogen sulfate _________________

17. Ti(OH)4

_________________

18. ammonium chloride

_________________

19. Ca(ClO3)2

_________________

20. rubidium cyanate

_________________

21. copper (II) sulfate

_________________

22. CuCl

_________________

23. iron (II) arsenate

_________________

24. NH4OH

_________________

IV. Molecular Compounds

Rules for Molecular Compounds
Molecular compounds are composed of individually covalently bonded
atoms. The simplest unit of a molecular compound is called a molecule.
The compounds are composed only of non-metals. The are sometimes
called covalent compounds since the bond between the atoms is formed by
shared co, valence valent electrons.
These prefixes are used to indicate the number of each atom in simple
molecular compounds:
mono-

one

hexa-

six

di-

two

hepta-

seven

tri-

three

octa-

eight

tetra-

four

nona-

nine

penta-

five

deca-

ten

The prefix that indicates the number of each atom is placed before the name
of the element. Exception: mono is not used for the first element if there is
only one of them (see Example 2). ALL molecular compounds end in -ide
Example 1: N2O is dinitrogen monoxide
NOT dinitride monoxide (the first element does not end in ide)
NOT dinitrogen monoxygen (the second element does end in -ide)
NOT dinitrogen monooxide (the o is dropped before a vowel)
Example 2: CO is carbon monoxide
NOT monocarbon monoxide (see exception above)
NOT carbon oxide (mono is necessary to indicate the quantity of O)

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Molecular Compound Practice

1. CF4

_________________

2. N2O5

_________________

3. CS2

_________________

4. SO3

_________________

5. P4O8

_________________

6. iodine tribromide

_________________

7. chlorine dioxide

_________________

8. sulfur hexafluoride

_________________

9. difluorine octachloride

_________________

10. tribromine nonatelluride _________________

11. H2O

_________________

12. P2S4

_________________

13. N2O4

_________________

14. XeF4

_________________

15. SI4

_________________

16. carbon dioxide

_________________

17. trinitrogen hexabromide _________________

18. diiodine heptaselenide

_________________

19. CO

_________________

20. dicarbon octafluoride

_________________

21. P4O10

_________________

22. Si3N4

_________________

23. Cl2S7

_________________

24. NBr5

_________________

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V. Naming Acids
Rules for Acids
Acids are often referred to as proton donors. There are many chemicals that have
acidic properties but we will stick to naming acids that begin with an H in their
formula. When such a compound is mixed with water, the hydrogen atom breaks
off. Chemists say it dissociates. It leaves its only electron attached to its former
molecule. The only thing remaining of the hydrogen atom then is a proton, hence
proton donor. This small ion is written H+ the more of them an acid produces, the
stronger the acid.
Acids are aqueous, meaning they are compounds dissolved in water. They should
be, but are not always, written with an (aq) subscript.
Binary acid: an acid that contains a hydrogen and one other element.
Example: HCl(aq) hydrochloric acid
Oxyacid: an acid that contains a hydrogen an oxygen and a third element.
Example: HNO3(aq) nitric acid
Acid naming rules (formula to name)
First determine the name of the anion (the part that comes after the H).
For HCl(aq)

Cl- is the anion and it would be chloride. Ending in -ide

For HClO2(aq) ClO2- is the anion and it would be chlorite. Ending in -ite
For HClO3(aq) ClO3- is the anion and it would be chlorate. Ending in -ate
If ion ends in -ide then the acid begins with hydro and ends in -ic.
HCl

Hydrochloric acid

If ion ends in -ite then the acid ends in -ous.

HClO2 Hydrochlorous acid

If ion ends in -ate then the acid ends in -ic.

HClO3 Chloric acid

If the anions are sulfate, sulfite, phosphate you dont call the acids sulfic,
sulfous or phosphic. They are sulfuric, sulfurous and phosphoric.

12

Acid naming rules (name to formula)

Combine the appropriate amount of H+ with the anion to make a neutral
compound.
Example: What is the formula for phosphoric acid?
Since it ends in -ic it indicates an -ate ion, phosphate to be exact.
The phosphate ion is PO43- with a -3 charge. 3 H+ are needed to balance.
Answer: H3PO4(aq)
What is the formula for citric acid? (hint: citrate ion is C6H5O73-)

Acid Practice
1. hydrocyanic acid
2. dichromic acid
3. hydrobromic acid
4. nitrous acid
5. sulfuric acid
6. HF(aq)
7. H3PO4(aq)
8. H2CO3(aq)
9. H2S(aq)
10. acetic acid
11. sulfurous acid
12. perchloric acid
13. carbonic acid
14. HClO(aq)
15. HClO2(aq)
16. H2C2O4(aq)
17. H3P(aq)
18. HMnO4(aq)
19. hydrochloric acid
20. chromic acid
21. phosphoric acid
22. HCl(aq)

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VI. Naming Hydrates

Hydrates are compounds with water molecules trapped within them. These
compounds release water when heated.
Naming Rules
Greek prefixes are used to indicate the number of water molecules that are
trapped.
Example: MgSO47H2O
Formula

Mg

SO4

Name

magnesium sulfate

H2O

hepta

hydrate

Remember your ionic compound naming rules for elements which take more
than one charge as ions such as copper (which can take a +1 or +2 charge).
Example: CuSO45H2O
Formula

Cu

SO4

Name

copper (II)

sulfate

H2O

penta

hydrate

Hydrate Practice (formula to name)

1. MgCl26H2O
2. Cd(NO3)24H2O
3. ZnCl26H2O
4. Na2S2O35H2O
5. CaCl22H2O

_________________
_________________
_________________
_________________
_________________

Hydrate Practice (name to formula)

1. barium hydroxide octahydrate
2. sodium sulfate decahydrate
3. lithium chloride tetrahydrate
4. cobalt (II) chloride hexahydrate
5. sodium carbonate decahydrate
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_________________
_________________
_________________
_________________

Chapter Review Problems

1. cadmium nitrate
2. chromate ion
3. dinitrogen monoxide
4. NO25. nitrous acid
6. HPO427. PCl3
8. HClO4(aq)
9. BaSO4
10. sulfur hexafluoride
11. hydrogen peroxide
12. sulfuric acid
13. carbonate ion
14. BaO
15. HClO2(aq)
16. SrSO3
17. Fe
18. acetic acid
19. CBr4
20. hypochlorite ion
21. (NH4)2SO4H2O
22. calcium hydroxide
23. Na2CO3
24. Cu3P
25. HI
26. lead (II) acetate
27. O2228. ammonium ion
29. CO3230. H3O+

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