Naming Molecules Covalent Compounds

Learning Goals Translate molecular formulas into binary molecular compound names. Name acidic solutions.

Naming Molecular Compounds Ex. N2O The first element is always named first using the entire element name, N is the symbol for nitrogen.

Naming Molecular Compounds The second element is named using its root and adding the suffix -ide, O is the symbol for oxygen so the second word is oxide.

Naming Molecular Compounds Prefixes are used to indicate the number of atoms of each element that are present in the compound, There are two atoms of nitrogen and one atom of oxygen so the first word is dinitrogen and the second word is monoxide.

Naming Molecular Compounds Many compounds were discovered and given common names long before the present naming system was developed (water, ammonia, hydrazine, nitric oxide).

Naming Acids Binary Acids (An acid that contains hydrogen and one other element) – Ex. HCl

Naming Acids The first word has the prefix hydro- to name the hydrogen part of the compound. The rest of the word consists of a form of the root of the second element plus the suffix–ic, HCl (hydrogen and chlorine) becomes hydrochloric.

Naming Acids The second word is always acid, Thus, HCl in a water solution is called hydrochloric acid.

Naming Acids An oxyacid is an acid that contains both a hydrogen atom and an oxyanion. Ex. HNO3

Naming Acids Identify the oxyanion present. The first word of an oxyacid’s name consists of the root of the oxyanion and the prefix per- or hypo- if it is part of the name and a suffix. If the oxyanion’s name ends with the suffix –ate, replace it with the suffix –ic. If the name of the oxyanion ends with suffix –ite, replace it with suffix –ous, NO3 the nitrate ion, becomes nitric.

Naming Acids The second word of the name is always acid, HNO3 (hydrogen and nitrogen ion) becomes nitric acid.

Naming Acids An acid, whether a binary acid or an oxyacid, can have a common name in addition to its compound name.