Naming Chemical Compounds

Overview

• Objective: Learn how to correctly name compounds by identifying the type of compound at the start (ionic or molecular).

Types of Compounds

• Ionic Compounds: Consist of one metal and one nonmetal.
• Covalent (Molecular) Compounds: Consist of two nonmetals.

Identifying Elements

• Periodic Table: Use it to identify nonmetals and metals.

Naming Ionic Compounds

Without a Transition Metal

1. Example: Aluminum Oxide
   • Metal: Aluminum (Al)
   • Nonmetal: Oxygen (O) (ends in "ide")
2. Charges: Aluminum (Al) has a 3+ charge, Oxygen (O) has a 2- charge.
3. Balancing Charges:
   • Aluminum: 3+; Oxygen: 2-
   • Subscripts: Al₂O₃
   • Final Compound: Aluminum Oxide (Al₂O₃)

With a Transition Metal

1. Example: Iron(III) Oxide
   • Transition Metal: Iron (Fe)
   • Roman Numeral: (III) indicates a 3+ charge for Iron.
   • Nonmetal: Oxygen (O) (ends in "ide")
2. Charges: Iron (Fe) has a 3+ charge, Oxygen (O) has a 2- charge.
3. Balancing Charges:
   • Iron: 3+; Oxygen: 2-
   • Subscripts: Fe₂O₃
   • Final Compound: Iron(III) Oxide (Fe₂O₃)

With a Polyatomic Atom

1. Example: Calcium Phosphate
   • Metal: Calcium (Ca)
   • Polyatomic Ion: Phosphate (PO₄³⁻)
2. Charges: Calcium (Ca) 2+, Phosphate (PO₄) 3-
3. Balancing Charges:
   • Calcium: 2+; Phosphate: 3-
   • Final compound: Ca₃(PO₄)₂

Transition Metal and Polyatomic Atom

1. Example: Copper (II) Nitrate
   • Transition Metal: Copper (Cu)
   • Roman Numeral: (II) indicates a 2+ charge for Copper.
   • Polyatomic Ion: Nitrate (NO₃⁻)
2. Charges: Copper (Cu) 2+, Nitrate (NO₃) 1-
3. Balancing Charges:
   • Copper: 2+; Nitrate: 1-
   • Subscripts and Parentheses: Cu(NO₃)₂
   • Final Compound: Copper (II) Nitrate

Naming from Formulas

1. Example: FeBr₂
   • Metal: Iron (Fe), Transition Metal
   • Nonmetal: Bromine (Br), ends in "ide"
   • Charges: Bromine 1-, Iron must be 2+
   • Name: Iron (II) Bromide
2. Example: Cu₃(PO₄)₂
   • Metal: Copper (Cu), Transition Metal
   • Polyatomic Ion: Phosphate (PO₄)
   • Charges: Copper 2+, Phosphate 3-
   • Name: Copper (II) Phosphate

Naming Covalent (Molecular) Compounds

• Do not balance charges.
• Consists of two nonmetals.
• Prefixes: Know 1 through 10.

Example: P₂O₅

• Prefix + Nonmetal + Prefix + Nonmetal ending in "ide"
• Name: Diphosphorus Pentoxide

Example: N₃O₆

• Prefix + Nonmetal + Prefix + Nonmetal ending in "ide"
• Name: Trinitrogen Hexaoxide

Conclusion

• Practice naming compounds regularly to master the naming conventions.
• Online tutoring and additional resources are available for further learning.

Tips:

• Use flashcards for polyatomic ions.
• Always refer to your periodic table for charges and elements.
• Remember to use parentheses for polyatomic ions when necessary.