Binary Covalent Nomenclature

Use Greek Prefixes 1 = mono- 2 = di- 3 = tri- 4 = tetra- 5 = penta- 6 = hexa- 7 = hepta- 8 = octa- 9 = nona- 10 = deca-

The Rules Tell how many atoms of the first element there are with a Greek prefix (if there is only one then omit the mono) Name the first element Tell how many atoms of the second element there are with a Greek prefix (do not omit the mono) Name the second element, but change the end of the name to -ide

A Few Special Exceptions H2O Should be dihydrogen monoxide but is called water instead NH3 Should be nitrogen trihydride but is called ammonia instead CH4 Should be carbon tetrahydride but is called methane instead HCl Should be hydrogen monochloride but is called hydrogen chloride instead.

Practice N2O4 Dinitrogen tetraoxide (tetroxide) PCl3 Phosphorus trichloride SO2 Sulfur dioxide

Practice CO Carbon monoxide P4O10 Tetraphosphorus decoxide NH3 Ammonia

Practice NH4Cl Ammonium chloride ClO2 Chlorine dioxide FeO Iron(II) oxide

Practice BaNa2S Bananas HIOAg Lone Ranger Acid