1. Compound Naming Basics
Chemical compounds have unique names because they have unique chemical properties.
Binary compounds are made of only 2 elements
The cation (+ ion) is listed first.
The anion (- ion) is listed second.
The ending of the anion is changed to –ide
i.e. sodium + chlorine  sodium chloride.
Try potassium + sulfur _____________
Try magnesium + oxygen __________
potassium sulfide
magnesium oxide

2. Compound Naming Basics
Use Greek prefixes if there is more than one of any element.
mono – one
di – two
tri – three
tetra – four
penta – five
hexa - six
hepta – seven
octa – eight
nona – nine
deca - ten
i.e. carbon + 4 chlorine  carbon tetrachloride
Try magnesium + 2 fluorine _____________
Try 2 calcium + carbon  ______________
magnesium difluoride
dicalcium carbide

3. Compound Naming Basics
Some atoms bond so strongly they form groups that act like single atoms when bonding.
Polyatomic Ion Groups
Acetate C2H3O2 -1
Bicarbonate HCO3 -1
Hydroxide OH -1
Nitrate NO
Nitrite NO
Carbonate CO3 -2
Sulfate SO
Sulfite SO
Phosphate PO
Ammonium NH4 +1

4. Compound Naming Basics
These polyatomic ion groups retain their names. (Don’t add –ide, but do use prefixes.)
i.e. K2SO4 is dipotassium sulfate
Try Na3PO4 ___________
Try Fe2CO3 ___________
Try NH4Cl __________
trisodium phosphate
diiron carbonate
ammonium chloride

5. Compound Naming Basics
Greek Prefixes
mono – one
di – two
tri – three
tetra – four
penta – five
hexa - six
hepta – seven
octa – eight
nona – nine
deca - ten
Polyatomic Ion Groups
Acetate C2H3O2 -1
Bicarbonate HCO3 -1
Hydroxide OH -1
Nitrate NO
Nitrite NO
Carbonate CO3 -2
Sulfate SO
Sulfite SO
Phosphate PO
Ammonium NH4 +1