Naming Covalent Molecular Compounds

Distinguishing Molecular and Ionic Compounds

• Molecular Compounds: Typically composed of two nonmetals.
• Ionic Compounds: Composed of a metal and a nonmetal. Example: MgCl₂ (Magnesium Chloride).
• Example of Molecular Compound: SCl₂ (Sulfur Dichloride).
• Prefixes: Used in molecular compounds, not in ionic compounds.

Common Prefixes

• Mono: 1 (not used for the first element)
• Di: 2
• Tri: 3
• Tetra: 4
• Penta: 5
• Hexa: 6
• Hepta: 7
• Octa: 8
• Nona: 9
• Deca: 10

Naming Rules for Molecular Compounds

• First Element: Name as is (without prefix "mono" if one atom).
• Second Element: Use prefix for number of atoms and suffix "-ide".

Examples

1. CO

   • Name: Carbon Monoxide

2. CO₂

   • Name: Carbon Dioxide

3. NO₂

   • Name: Nitrogen Dioxide

4. N₂O₅

   • Name: Dinitrogen Pentoxide

5. NO

   • Name: Nitrogen Monoxide

6. N₂O₃

   • Name: Dinitrogen Trioxide

More Practice Examples

1. PCl₃

   • Name: Phosphorus Trichloride

2. PCl₅

   • Name: Phosphorus Pentachloride

3. CBr₄

   • Name: Carbon Tetrabromide

4. OF₂

   • Name: Oxygen Difluoride

5. SiF₄

   • Name: Silicon Tetrafluoride

6. SF₆

   • Name: Sulfur Hexafluoride

7. IF₇

   • Name: Iodine Heptafluoride

8. P₄O₁₀

   • Name: Tetraphosphorus Decooxide (omit "a" in decaoxide)

Tips

• Electronegativity: The more electronegative element in a compound is given the "-ide" suffix.
• Trends: Electronegativity increases towards fluorine on the periodic table.

Conclusion

• Apply learned prefixes and naming rules to identify and name covalent molecular compounds accurately.
• Upcoming video will cover writing formulas for molecular compounds.

---

• Check the chemistry video playlist for more educational content.
• Channel also provides resources for different subjects like physics, algebra, calculus, etc.