Naming and Formulas for Binary Ionic and Molecular Compounds
This guide explains the naming conventions for binary ionic and molecular compounds. Binary ionic compounds consist of two elements, typically a metal and a nonmetal, with the metal name stated first followed by the nonmetal whose ending changes to –ide (e.g., NaCl is sodium chloride). For molecular compounds, the first element’s name is used, and the second element's name changes to –ide, using prefixes to indicate the number of atoms (e.g., N2O4 is dinitrogen tetroxide). It also covers common polyatomic ions.
Naming and Formulas for Binary Ionic and Molecular Compounds
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Presentation Transcript
Binary Ionic Compounds Binary compounds contain only two elements (prefix bi means two…like bicycle) Remember an ionic compound is between a metal and nonmetal. When naming, simply state the name of the metal first, then the nonmetal, changing the ending to –ide NaCl = sodium chloride
Molecular (covalent) compounds Name the first element, then change the ending of the second element to –ide NBr = nitrogen bromide
Molecular compounds with multiple atoms You must use prefixes to show the number of atoms in each element
Examples NO2 nitrogen dioxide (the prefix mono is not used on the first element in the compound) N2O4dinitrogentetraoxide
Polyatomic Ions NH4+ Ammonium OH- Hydroxide NO3- Nitrate SO42- Sulfate
