1. What bond do you have?
Metal and Non-Metal
Non-Metal and Non-Metal

2. Metal and Non-Metal = IONIC
Which element is the cation and which is the anion?
Metals are cation,Non-Metal are anion
2. Is the metal a transition metal?
Yes or No
3. If no, just write the name of the element.

3. Non-metal and a Non-metal = Covalent
You lucky duck this will be EASY!
Figure out how much of each element you have
Determine the appropriate suffix (1= mono, 2= di, 3=tri, etc.)
For the first element in the molecule write out the name and put the appropriate suffix in front (UNLESS THERE IS ONLY ONE… then write no suffix)
For the second element write the elements name with an ide at the end (oxide, chloride, bromide, etc). Then put the appropriate suffix in front (yes including mono)

4. Let’s try N Cl Dinitrogen tetrachloride CO Carbon Dioxide PH
H O
Dinitrogen tetrachloride
Carbon Dioxide
Phosphorus trihydride
Dihydrogen monoxide 2 3 2 3 2

5. Ionic bond, metal, transition metal
This is called type II naming.
How many electrons is the metal giving up?
Either write the number of electrons as a roman numeral in name (i.e. Iron (II)) or use the following endings
-ous less giving of electrons (gives fewer than counterpart
-ic more giving of electrons 9gives more electrons than counterpart

6. Ionic compound, we figured out the deal with metal… now what?
Take the name of the non- metal and add -ide to the end.
Yes it is that easy.
Well… unless it is a polyatomic anion (more than one element) then we have to look it up.

7. So, let us try some easy ones :)
Sodium Chloride
Aluminum Oxide
Copper(II) Sulfate/ Cupric Sulfate
Magnesium Oxide
Calcium Chloride
NaCl
Al O
CuSO
MgO
CaCl 2 3 4 2