Nomenclature of ionic

and covalent
compounds
Engagement: Diagnostic Test
Give the name or write the formula of the following compounds.
1. P4O10
2. BaCl2
3. cupric sulfate
4. HF(aq)
5. Bromous acid
Engagement: Diagnostic Test
Give the name or write the formula of the following compounds.
1. P4O10 tetraphosphorus decoxide
2. BaCl2 barium chloride
3. cupric sulfate CuSO4
4. HF(aq) hydrofluoric acid
5. Bromous acid HBrO2 (aq)
Exploration: Provide questions
Question: What type of elements comprise the covalent
compounds and ionic compounds?

Covalent CCl4 P4O10 N2O4 NH3

Ionic NaCl K2O CoCl3 AuCl

Exploration: Provide questions
Question: What type of elements comprise the covalent
compounds and ionic compounds?

Covalent CCl4 P4O10 N2O4 NH3

Ionic NaCl K2O CoCl3 AuBr

Answer: Covalent compounds are formed between two non-metals
while ionic compounds are formed by a metal and a non-metal.
Exploration: Provide questions
Question: In naming binary covalent compounds, how do
you account the number of atoms present in the formula?

CCl4 carbon tetrachloride

P4O10 tetraphosphorus decoxide
N2O4dinitrogen tetroxide
HF hydrogen monofluoride
Exploration: Provide questions
Question: In naming binary covalent compounds, how do
you account the number of atoms present in the formula?
CCl4 carbon tetrachloride
P4O10 tetraphosphorus decoxide
N2O4 dinitrogen tetroxide
HF hydrogen monofluoride
Answer: Greek prefixes were used corresponding to the number of the atoms
present in the formula. However, the prefix mono- is omitted for the first element
(but not on the second element). In addition, the suffix of the second element is
change to –ide.
Exploration: Provide questions
Question: In writing the formula of binary covalent compounds,
prefixes are converted to ______________.
sulfur trioxide SO3
carbon monoxide CO
disulfur dichloride S2Cl2
xenon hexafluoride XeF6
phosphorus pentachloride PCl5
Answer: The prefixes corresponding to the number of
atoms are converted to subscripts of the atoms.
Exploration: Provide questions
Question: In naming ionic compounds, are prefixes used to
account for the number of atoms of each element in the
formula?
NaCl sodium chloride
K2O potassium oxide
CoCl3cobaltic chloride
AuBr aurous bromide
 Exploration: Provide questions
Question: In naming ionic compounds, are prefixes used to
account for the number of atoms of each element in the
formula?
NaCl sodium chloride
K2O potassium oxide
CoCl3cobaltic chloride
AuBr aurous bromide
Answer: Prefixes are not used in naming ionic compounds. The number of
atoms is implied by the charges of the cation and the anions. It is
therefore important to know the charges of the common cations and
anions. In naming, just name the cation followed by the name of the anion.
Exploration: Provide questions
Question: In naming ionic compounds with transition
metals, why there are two names for one transition metal?

CoCl2cobaltous chloride
CoCl3cobaltic chloride
 Exploration: Provide questions
Question: In naming ionic compounds with transition
metals, why there are two names for one transition metal?

CoCl2cobaltous chloride
CoCl3cobaltic chloride

Answer: Most transition metals can exist in more than one ionic form.
Thus, it is important to know the charge of the cations in the compounds.
For instance, Co in CoCl2 has a charge of +2 while, in CoCl3, Co has a charge
of +3. Co2+ is cobaltous while Co3+ is cobaltic.
Exploration: Provide questions
Question: What is the difference between binary acids and
oxyacids?

Binary Acids HCl(aq) HF(aq) HBr(aq)

Oxyacids HNO3(aq) HClO(aq) H2SO4(aq)

Exploration: Provide questions
Question: What is the difference between binary acids and
oxyacids?

Binary Acids HCl(aq) HF(aq) HBr(aq)

Oxyacids HNO3(aq) HClO(aq) H2SO4(aq)

Answer: Binary acids are formed by hydrogen and a non-metal while
oxyacids are derived from oxyanions (anions containing a non-metal
and oxygen).
Exploration: Provide questions
Question: In naming acids, are the patterns you observed?
Write all these patterns.
Anion Name of Anion Formula of the Acid Name of the Acid Type of Acid
F- Fluoride HF (aq) Hydrofluoric acid Binary
Br- Bromide HBr (aq) Hydrobromic acid Binary
ClO- Hypochlorite HClO (aq) Hypochlorous acid Oxyacid
SO32- Sulfite H2SO3 (aq) Sulfurous acid Oxyacid
NO3- Nitrate HNO3 (aq) Nitric acid Oxyacid
BrO4- perbromate HBrO4 (aq) Perbromic acid Oxyacid
 Exploration: Provide questions
Question: In naming acids, are the patterns you observed?
Write all these patterns.
Anion Name of Anion Formula of the Acid Name of the Acid Type of Acid
F- Fluoride HF (aq) Hydrofluoric acid Binary
Br- Bromide HBr (aq) Hydrobromic acid Binary
ClO- Hypochlorite HClO (aq) Hypochlorous acid Oxyacid
SO32- Sulfite H2SO3 (aq) Sulfurous acid Oxyacid
NO3- Nitrate HNO3 (aq) Nitric acid Oxyacid
BrO4- perbromate HBrO4 (aq) Perbromic acid Oxyacid
Answer: 1. Binary acids follow hydro___ic acid.
2. Oxyacids derived from oxyanions ending –ite is named as ____ous acid.
3. Oxyacids derived from oxyanions ending –ate is named as ____ic acid.
 Exploration: Provide questions
Question: In naming acids, are the patterns you observed?
Write all these patterns.
Anion Name of Anion Formula of the Acid Name of the Acid Type of Acid
F- Fluoride HF (aq) Hydrofluoric acid Binary
Br- Bromide HBr (aq) Hydrobromic acid Binary
ClO- Hypochlorite HClO (aq) Hypochlorous acid Oxyacid
SO32- Sulfite H2SO3 (aq) Sulfurous acid Oxyacid
NO3- Nitrate HNO3 (aq) Nitric acid Oxyacid
BrO4- perbromate HBrO4 (aq) Perbromic acid Oxyacid
Answer: 4. The number of H+ needed in writing the formula depends on
how much positive charge is needed to neutralize the charge of the
anion.
Explanation
BINARY COVALENT COMPOUNDS
Binary covalent compounds are formed between two non-metals.

A. Naming binary covalent compounds.

Example: CCl4

1. Identify the elements present in the compound given by the formula.

CCl4 carbon chlorine
2. Change the suffix of the second element to –ide.
CCl4 carbon chloride
Explanation
3. Use the prefix corresponding to the number of atoms present in the
compound.
CCl4 monocarbon tetrachloride
Number Greek Prefix Number Greek Prefix
1 mono- 6 hexa-
2 di- 7 hepta-
3 tri- 8 octa-
4 tetra- 9 nona-
5 penta- 10 deca-

The mono- prefix is usually omitted for the first element but not on
the second element.
CCl4 carbon tetrachloride
Explanation
Some compounds are known only by their common names.
Examples:

Formula Name
H2O Water
NH3 Ammonia
PH3 Phosphine
CH4 Methane
Explanation
B. Writing formulas of binary covalent compounds.
Example: sulfur dioxide

1. Represent each kind of element in a compound with the correct

symbol of the element.
sulfur dioxide SO
2. Indicate by a subscript the number of atoms of each element in a
molecule of the compound.
sulfur dioxide implies one atom of sulfur, and two atoms of oxygen.
sulfur dioxide SO2
Explanation
IONIC COMPOUNDS
Compounds formed between metals and non-metals are called ionic
compounds.

A. Naming ionic compounds.

1. Write the name of the cation first, followed by the name of the
anion.
2. Unlike binary covalent compounds, PREFIXES ARE NOT USED to
indicate the number of ions present in the formula.
KBr K+ (potassium ion) and Br – (bromide ion)
Name: potassium bromide
COMMON CATIONS

Group 1 Group 2 Group 13

Li+ Lithium Mg2+ Magnesium Al3+ Aluminum
Na+ Sodium Ca2+ Calcium
K+ Potassium Sr2+ Strontium
Rb+ Rubidium Ba2+ Barium

Group 11 Group 12 Polyatomic Cation

Ag+ Silver Zn2+ Zinc NH4+ Ammonium
Cd2+ Cadmium
COMMON MONOATOMIC ANIONS
Group 15 Group 16 Group 17
N3- Nitride O2- Oxide F- Fluoride
P3- Phosphide S2- Sulfide Cl- Chloride
Se2- Selenide Br- Bromide
Te2- Telluride I- Iodide
COMMON POLYATOMIC ANIONS
Formula Name Formula Name Formula Name
OH- Hydroxide HSO3- Bisulfite CrO42- Chromate
O22- Peroxide PO43- Phosphate Cr2O72- Dichromate
CN- Cyanide HPO42- Hydrogen phosphate MnO4- Permangate
N3- Azide H2PO4- Dihydrogen phosphate C2O42- Oxalate
SO42- Sulfate NO3- Nitrate SCN- Thiocyanate
SO32- Sulfite NO2- Nitrite CO32- Carbonate
HSO4- bisulfate CH3COO- Acetate HCO3- Bicarbonate
Explanation
3. Most transition metals can exist in more than one ionic form. Thus,
it is important to know the charge of the cations in their compounds.

Example:
SnCl4 Sn4+ stock system: Tin (IV) old system: stannic
Cl- (chloride ion)
Name: Tin (IV) chloride OR stannic chloride
SnCl2 Sn2+ stock system: Tin (II) old system: stannous
Cl- (chloride ion)
Name: Tin (Ii) chloride OR stannous chloride
 Metal Symbol of cation Old System Stock System
Chromium Cr2+ Chromous Chromium (II)
Cr3+ Chromic Chromium (III)
Manganese Mn2+ Manganous Manganese (II)
Mn3+ Manganic Manganese (III)
Iron Fe2+ Ferrous Iron (II)
Fe3+ Ferric Iron (III)
Cobalt Co2+ Cobaltous Cobalt (II)
Co3+ Cobaltic Cobalt (III)
Mercury Hg22+ Mercurous Mercury (I)
Hg2+ Mercuric Mercury (II)
Tin Sn2+ Stannous Tin (II)
Sn4+ Stannic Tin (IV)
Lead Pb2+ Plumbous Lead (II)
Pb4+ Plumbic Lead (IV)
Gold Au+ Aurous Gold (I)
Au3+ Auric Gold (II)
Copper Cu+ Cuprous Copper (I)
Cu2+ Cupric Copper (II)
Explanation
Some ionic compounds form crystals that contain a certain proportion
of water molecules apart from the ions of the compound. Such
compounds are called HYDRATES. Hydrates are named just like other
ionic compound except for the addition of the word “hydrate” with a
Greek prefix indicating the number of water molecules per unit of the
ionic compound.
Example: Na2CO3•10H2O Na+ (sodium ion)
CO32- (carbonate ion)
Name: sodium carbonate decahydrate
Explanation
B. Writing Formulas of Ionic Compounds.
Example: Sodium oxide
1. Write the symbol of the cation first, followed by the symbol of
the anion.
sodium oxide: Na O
2. Write the charge of each ion over the symbol of that ion.
sodium oxide: Na+ O2-
3. Choose a subscript that will make the net charge zero. A cross-
over technique can be applied.
sodium oxide: Na+ O2- Na2O
Explanation
B. Writing Formulas of Ionic Compounds.
When both subscripts in the formula can be divided by the same
number to simplify the formula, you should do so, unless you know
the actual formula represented (e.g. Na2O2 for sodium peroxide)

magnesium sulfide: Mg2+ S2-

Mg2+ S2- Mg2S2

MgS
Explanation
B. Writing Formulas of Ionic Compounds.
When both subscripts in the formula can be divided by the same
number to simplify the formula, you should do so, unless you know
the actual formula represented (e.g. Na2O2 for sodium peroxide)

barium sulfate: Ba2+ SO42-

Ba2+ SO42- Ba2(SO4)2

BaSO4
Explanation
B. Writing Formulas of Ionic Compounds.
For hydrates, follow the same steps, then add a centered dot,
followed by the number of water molecules (indicated by the
prefix) and the chemical formula of water.
Example: magnesium sulfate heptahydrate Mg2+ SO42-

Mg2+ SO42- Mg2(SO4)2

MgSO4 Accounting the hydrate,

MgSO4•7H2O
Explanation
ACIDS
A. Binary Acids
Binary acids contain only two different elements- hydrogen and a non-
metal. Binary acids are named as hydro___ic acid, where the stem of the
non-metal is inserted in place of the line. Thus,

HF(aq) hydrofluoric acid

HBr(aq) hydrobromic acid

To differentiate binary acids with binary covalent compound, a subscript

(aq) is used for the acid. Thus, the compound is named using the rule for
binary acid if the (aq) subscript is indicated.
Explanation
B. Oxyacids
Another type of acid is the oxyacids derived from the oxyanions. The
name of the oxyacid is derived from the name of the oxyanion with a
change in the suffix using the following rules:

1. If the name of the oxyanion ends in –ate, the name of the oxyacid
will be of the form ____________ic acid.
Oxyanion Name of the oxyanion Oxyacid Name of the oxyacid
SO42- sulfate H2SO4 (aq) Sulfuric acid
ClO4 - perchlorate HClO4 (aq) Perchloric acid
Explanation
B. Oxyacids
2. If the name of the oxyanion ends in –ite, the name of the oxyacid
will be of the form ____________ous acid.

Oxyanion Name of the oxyanion Oxyacid Name of the oxyacid

SO32- Sulfite H2SO3 (aq) Sulfurous acid
ClO - Hypochlorite HClO (aq) Hypochlorous acid

Note: For acids, the number of H+ needed in writing the formula

depends on how much positive charge is needed to neutralize the
charge of the anion.
Elaborate
Give the name or write the formula of the following binary covalent
compounds.
1. dinitrogen pentoxide
2. S2F2
3. SeCl2
4. phosphorus triiodide
5. NF3
Elaborate
Give the name or write the formula of the following binary covalent
compounds.
1. dinitrogen pentoxide N2O5
2. S2F2 disulfur difluoride
3. SeCl2 selenium dichloride
4. phosphorus triiodide PI3
5. NF3 nitrogen trifluoride
Elaborate
Give the name or write the formula of the following ionic compounds.
1. Li3N
2. Potassium sulfide
3. Co2O3
4. Pb(ClO3)4
5. Chromium(III) bisulfite
Elaborate
Give the name or write the formula of the following ionic compounds.
1. Li3N lithium nitride
2. Potassium sulfide K2S
3. Co2O3 cobalt (III) oxide or cobaltic oxide
4. Pb(ClO3)4 lead (IV) chlorate or plumbic chlorate
5. Chromium(III) bisulfite Cr(HSO3)3
Elaborate
Give the name or write the formula of the following acids.
1. H2Se(aq)
2. Perbromic acid
3. Hydrophosphoric acid
4. H2CO3 (aq)
5. Nitrous acid
Elaborate
Give the name or write the formula of the following acids.
1. H2Se(aq) hydroselenic acid
2. Perbromic acid HBrO4 (aq)
3. Hydrophosphoric acid H3P(aq)
4. H2CO3 (aq) carbonic acid
5. Nitrous acid HNO2 (aq)
Evaluation: Final Assessment
Give the name or write the formula of the following compounds.
1. H2S (aq)
2. PbCl4
3. Magnesium nitrate
4. Chloric acid
5. OF2
Evaluation: Final Assessment
Give the name or write the formula of the following compounds.
1. H2S (aq) hydrosulfuric acid
2. PbCl4 lead (IV) chloride or plumbic chloride
3. Magnesium nitrate Mg(NO3)2
4. Chloric acid HClO3 (aq)
5. OF2 oxygen difluoride