Naming Ionic Compounds

Basics of Ionic Compounds

• Ions Formation:
  • Atoms can steal electrons to become ions.
  • Compounds are formed in ratios dictated by ionic charges.
  • Cations: Positively charged ions.
  • Anions: Negatively charged ions.
• Periodic Table Guidance:
  • Group 1: Atoms lose one electron, forming 1+ ions.
  • Group 2: Atoms become 2+ ions.
  • Halogens: Gain one electron, forming 1- ions.
  • Other groups follow similar trends for forming ions.

Forming Neutral Compounds

• Combine ions so positive and negative charges balance to zero.
• Example:
  • Sodium (1+) with Chloride (1-) forms Sodium Chloride.
  • Magnesium (2+) with Chloride needs two chloride ions to balance.
  • Magnesium (2+) with Nitrogen (3-) needs three magnesium and two nitrogen to balance charges.
• Writing Ionic Compounds:
  • Cation is listed first, anion second.
  • Monoatomic anions use the "-ide" suffix.

Metals with Multiple Charges

• Some metals have multiple oxidation states.
• Copper Example:
  • Copper (1+) is referred to as Copper (I) or Cuprous.
  • Copper (2+) is Copper (II) or Cupric.

Polyatomic Ions

• Suffixes for similar anions with different oxygen counts:
  • "-ate": More oxygens.
  • "-ite": Fewer oxygens.
• Prefixes for additional variations:
  • "Per-": More oxygens than "-ate".
  • "Hypo-": Fewer oxygens than "-ite".

Naming Ionic Compounds

• Cation and Anion Naming:
  • List the cation and anion by name with necessary prefixes/suffixes.
  • Transition metals need oxidation state specified (e.g., Chromium (II) Sulfate).
• Name to Formula:
  • Example: Iron (II) Phosphate requires balancing charges to write the formula.

Naming Binary Covalent Compounds

• Use prefixes to indicate the number of atoms for each element.
• Examples include:
  • Carbon Monoxide (CO) and Carbon Dioxide (CO2).
  • Tetraphosphorus Trisulfide (P4S3).
• Note: Prefixes are omitted when only one combination exists for two elements (e.g., Magnesium Chloride).

Conclusion

• Understanding ionic and covalent naming conventions is essential.
• Some memorization of polyatomic ions and their charges is necessary.
• Practice naming and writing formulas to reinforce learning.