Naming Ionic Compounds

Naming Ionic Compounds from Formulas

1.       Write metal name or ammonium as the first part of the name

2.       Look at the second part of the formula and decide if it is a nonmetal or a polyatomic ion. If it is a nonmetal, write the nonmetal name with ide ending. If it is a polyatomic ion, just write the polyatomic ion name (on your sheet).

3.       Decide if you need to use the stock system (Roman numerals) by looking to see if the metal has a variable oxidation number on the chart.

4.       Undo swapping and dropping to get Roman numeral if needed.

5.       Instead of using the Stock system you can use the older naming system where the higher oxidation number gets the –ic ending and the lower oxidation number get the –ous ending.  (Remember Latin roots)  (If you are a Chem 1200 student at UNCC we will not use this system of naming.)

Ex.

K3PO4 Potassium Phosphate

AlCl3  Aluminum Chloride

MgSO4  Magnesium Sulfate

Cu(NO3)2  Copper (II) Nitrate

 

Comments are closed.