Naming the Inorganic Compounds

Kavita Gupta

Classification of Compounds for Naming Purposes

Ionic compounds
Formed by a metal and a nonmetal or a polyatomic ion Generally solids in the natural state Ex: NaCl, K2SO4, PbCO3, ZnS, KMnO4

Molecular Compounds
Made up exclusively of nonmetals Generally liquids or gases in natural state Ex: NO2, CO2, P2O5, H2O

Acids
Begin with a H Generally present as aqueous solutions or gases HCl, HClO4, H2CO3, HNO3, HC2H3O2, HCOOH

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Naming the Ionic Compounds

Ionic Compoundsmade of a cation (either from group 1, group 2 or transition metals) and an anion (monoatomic or polyatomic anion) Anions are named the same for any ionic compounds. Monoatomic anion ends in ide and polyatomic anion is named just like the name of the polyatomic anion.
Old Way of Naming: Lower of the two charges cation name ends in ous and higher of the two charges cation name ends in ic.

Cation from Transition Metal

Stock Way:Name the cation as its element, followed by its oxiation number (Charge) within parenthesis.

Cation from Group 1 (alkali metal) or Group 2 (alkaline earth)

Name the cation as the element.

Practice on Naming Ionic Compounds

Ionic Compounds with Cations from Group 1 and 2 Ionic Compounds with cations from transition metals

Na2SO4

PbS
Cu(NO3)2

KClO4

Criss Cross Method for writing the formula for an ionic compound given its name
Criss-cross method involves bringing the valency (charge) of one element down as a subscript next to the other element or polyatomic ion.

Practice writing the formula of the following compounds by using the criss-cross method.

Sodium Sulfide

Potassium Nitrate Cupric Nitride

Ferrous Sulfate

Ammonium Carbonate

Naming the Molecular Compounds

There are two ways of naming the molecular compounds

Prefix Way

Stock Way
Ex: N2O5

Use prefixes mone-, di-, tri- etc. to indicate number of atoms of each element. Do not use mono before the first element.

Nitrogen (V) Oxice

Ex. N2O5- Di nitrogen Pentoxide CO2- Carbon Dioxide

CO2- Carbon (IV) Oxide CO Carbon (II) Oxide

Write name of the first element followed by its oxidation state in parenthesis

Naming the Acids

Oxyacids: Anion ending decides the name of the acid. If anion ends in ate, then acid is ic acid, if anion ends in its, then acid is ous acid. Ex. HClO4 Perchloric Acid (anion perchlorate)

To name an acid, first check to see if it is an oxy acid or not. Presence of Oxygen in the chemical formula of an acid indicates an oxyacid. Ex. HCl is not an oxyacid but HClO4 is an oxyacid.

Ex. HClO3 Chloric Acid (anion Chlorate)

To name an acid without oxygen, start naming with Hydrofollowed by the name of anion ending in ic Acid.

Ex. Ex. HCl Hydrochloric acid

Naming of Complex Compounds

Name cation first followed by anion. Within a complex, transition metal is named first with its charge listed within parenthesis, followed by ligands and then anion. If complex is anion, then its name ends in ate.

Please go back to Ch 2 in the ibook for details on the naming of the complexes or coordination compounds.

Naming of the Hydrates

Hydrates are ionic compounds that have loosely attached water molecules to them. Ex. CuSO4. 5H2O. To name the hydrates, name the ionic compound first and then use the prefix that indicates the number of water molecules attached. Ex. The name of CuSO4.5H2O is Cupric Sulfate pentahydrate or Copper (II) Sulfate pentahydrate.

Common Cations with Variable Valency

Cuprous, Cupric Cobaltous, Cobatic Ferrous, Ferric Plumbous, Plumbic Mercurous, Mercuric Stannous, Stannic

Copper Cobalt Iron Lead Mercury Tin

Cu Co Fe Pb

Cu + Co 2+ Fe 2+ Pb 2+

Cu 2+ Co 3+ Fe 3+ Pb 4+

Hg Hg2 2+ Hg 2+ Sn Sn 2+ Sn 4+

Common Polyatomic Ions

Ammonium Nitrate Phosphate Hydroxide Sulfate Carbonate NH4 + NO3 PO4 3OH CO3 2Chlorate Perchlorate Chlorite Hypochlorite Acetate ClO3 ClO4 ClO2 ClO C2H3O2 CH3COO HCO3 Thiosulfate Thiocynate Peroxide Sulfite Nitrite Phosphite S2O3 2SCN O2 2SO3 2NO2 PO3 3-

SO4 2- Permanganate MnO4 -

Chromate

CrO4 2-

Bicarbonate (hydrogen carbonate) Cyanide

Bisulfate (hydrogen sulfate) Oxide

HSO4 -

Dichromate

Cr2O7 2-

CN -

2-