Naming Ionic and Molecular Compounds

Introduction

• Instructor: Melissa Maribel
• Focus: Understanding naming of ionic and molecular (covalent) compounds
• Importance: Essential for chemistry studies; naming compounds is a frequent task

Identifying Compound Types

• Ionic Compounds: Consist of one metal and one nonmetal
  • Generally, metals have positive charges and nonmetals have negative charges
• Molecular (Covalent) Compounds: Consist of two nonmetals

Ionic Compounds Naming

Without Transition Metals

• Example: Aluminum Oxide (Al₂O₃)
  • Metal name + Nonmetal name ending in "ide"
  • Balance charges: Aluminum (3+), Oxygen (2-)
  • Use subscripts to balance charges
  • "Lasso" method: Swap and balance opposite charges

With Transition Metals

• Example: Iron (III) Oxide (Fe₂O₃)
  • Name includes metal, Roman numeral (indicating metal's charge), nonmetal ending in "ide"
  • Example: Iron (3+), Oxygen (2-)
  • Balance charges with subscripts to reach neutrality

With Polyatomic Ions

• Example: Calcium Phosphate
  • Metal + Polyatomic ion name
  • Polyatomic ions often end in "ate" or "ite" (exceptions include hydroxide and cyanide)
  • Balance charges (Calcium 2+, Phosphate 3-)
  • Use parentheses for polyatomic ions and subscript

Transition Metals with Polyatomic Ions

• Example: Copper (II) Nitrate
  • Transition metal name with Roman numeral + Polyatomic ion
  • Copper (2+), Nitrate (NO₃ with -1 charge)
  • Balance charges with subscripts

Naming from Formulas

• Example: FeBr₂
  • Identify elements: Fe (Iron, transition metal), Br (Bromine, nonmetal)
  • Use Roman numeral for transition metal: Iron (II) Bromide
• Example: Cu₃(PO₄)₂
  • Copper (transition metal) + Phosphate (polyatomic ion)
  • Copper (2+) and polyatomic ion charges help determine naming: Copper (II) Phosphate

Molecular (Covalent) Compounds Naming

• Prefixes: Know 1-10 (mono-, di-, tri-, etc.)
• Formula: Prefix + Nonmetal name + Prefix + Nonmetal name ending in "ide"
• Example: Diphosphorus Pentoxide
  • Subscripts determine prefixes (Di=2, Pent=5)
• Example: N₃O₆
  • Trinitrogen Hexaoxide

Conclusion

• Practice naming compounds and balancing charges
• Resources: Online tutoring available
• Encouragement: You can learn anything you set your mind to