Lesson 4: Naming Compounds

Nomenclature
- Naming and formula writing of compounds
2 Types of Formula Writing
a. Empirical Writing b. Molecular Formula
- Simplest Formula - Shows the specific number of atoms
I. Naming and Formula Writing Ionic Compounds Using Empirical Writing
Ionic Compounds
- A compound that consist of a Metal and a Non- Metal in that order.
- Wherein, the Metal is a cation, and the Non- Metal is a anion.
→ Cation : Positive Ion
→ Anion : Negative Ion
a. Steps in Naming Compounds:
Naming the compound NaCl :
i. Ensure that subscripts are correctly written
→ Note: If no subscripts are provided, assume a subscript of 1.
 Na1Cl1
ii. If subscripts are present, interchange them using the suggested crisscross method and
represent them as superscripts.
→ Note: Follow the rule that "Metal is represented as a Positive Ion" and "Non-
Metal is represented as a Negative Ion" in writing the superscripts signs.
 Na+1Cl-1
iii. If the metal element in the periodic table only has one oxidation number, keep the
element as is in writing, and do not write the superscript in roman numeral.
 Sodium chloride
Notes to Remember:
• Non- Metals will either add -ide or change their spellings to add -ide.
• Rule in writing compounds, only the first element has its first letter capitalized.
• Poly- atomic ions : multiple atomic atoms
• If it is possible, get the LCD of the compounds:
→ Fe2O2 → FeO
• For Anions that are not single elements, refer to the periodic table.
Example:
Naming the compound Fe2O3
i. The subscripts
→ Fe2O3
 Since it is already present it being 2 and 3, keep it as is.
ii. Crisscross method
→ Fe+3O-2
 Following the signs of the metal and non-metal we get +3 and -2 from the
method.
iii. Check the metal for oxidation level
→ Iron (III) oxide
 Since the element Iron has more than one oxidation level, the superscript
will be written in roman numeral form. Then write the compound with all
the rules and steps applied.
b. Steps in Formula Writing Ionic Compounds
Formula write the compound Iron (II) bromide
i. Write the compound with their appropriate element
 FeBr
ii. Ensure that superscripts are correctly written with the proper signs.
→ Note: If no superscripts are provided, assume a subscript of 1.
→ Note: If there is a written roman numeral, that will be the corresponding

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 → Note: If there is a written roman numeral, that will be the corresponding
superscript.
 Fe+2Br-1
iii. If superscripts are present, interchange them using the suggested crisscross method
and represent them as subscripts.
→ The digit '1' in mathematical rules will be omitted. Once all necessary
adjustments have been made, the final result will be the formula for the
compound.
 Fe1Br2
II. Naming and Formulating Covalent Compounds Using Empirical Writing
Covalent Compounds
- A compound that consist of a Non- Metal and another Non- Metal.
a. Rules in Naming Covalent Compounds
i. 10 prefixes in writing:
1. Mono 6. Hexa
2. Di 7. Hepta
3. Tri 8. Octa
4. Tetra 9. Nona
5. Penta 10. Decta
→ These prefixes are written before the element and signifies the present
number of atoms of the given element.
→ The prefix mono- is never used for the first element
ii. The second element will either add -ide or change their spellings to add -ide.
Example:
Naming the compound N2O3
→ Dinitrogen trioxide
▪ Nitrogen uses the prefix di- because there are 2 nitrogen atoms present,
Oxygen uses tri- because there are 3 oxygen atoms present.
▪ Oxygen → Oxide because it is the second mentioned element.
▪ Applying the aforementioned rules, we will get Dinitrogen trioxide.
b. Rules in Formula Writing Covalent Compounds
i. The prefixes corresponds to the present number of atoms of the given element.
ii. Write the appropriate subscripts for the given element, following the rule no.1.
iii. LCD cannot be applied in Formula Writing of Covalent Compounds since this can
change the interpretation of the compound.
→ For example: N2O2 is Dinitrogen dioxide, if LCD is applied it will NO which
is Nitrogen monoxide.
Example:
Formula writing the compound Tetracarbon trinitride
→ C4N3
▪ Prefixes tetra and tri corresponds to 4 and 3 respectively. Thus, 4 carbon
atoms and 3 nitrogen atoms.

III. Naming and Formula Writing Acids

Acids
- A chemical substance, usually a liquid, which contains a hydrogen atom.
→ The hydrogen atom can be metal or non-metal but not a metalloid.
- Are aqueous solutions
→ Are dissolved in water
→ Are usually a compound between a hydrogen and a non- metal.
a. Binary Acids
- A compound between a hydrogen and an element of Family 17 or Column 17
- Follows the formula HX(aq); x being the element of Family 17, and (aq) signifying

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 - Follows the formula HX(aq); x being the element of Family 17, and (aq) signifying
that the compound is aqueous and is an acid.
A. Rules in Naming Binary Acids
1. Starts with an H is an acid
2. Write Hydro- as a prefix
3. Change the suffix of Family 17 element with -ic acid.
Example:
Naming the binary acid HCl(aq)
→ Hydrochloric acid
 Since H is present, and (aq) as well
□ Hydro-
 Suffix of the given element
□ Chloride → chloric acid
B. Rules in Formula Writing Binary Acids
1. Write (aq)
2. Hydro means Hydrogen atom is present
3. Change the Family 17 element to its original name
Example:
Formula writing the compound Hydrobromic acid
→ HBr(aq)
 Hydro → Hydrogen → H
 Bromic acid → Bromine → Br
 Since it’s a binary acid write (aq)
b. Oxyacids
- An acid that contains an oxygen atom.
- Specifically a compound that consist of a hydrogen, oxygen, and at least one
other element.
- Follows the formula HXO
A. Rules in Naming Oxyacids
1. No Hydro- prefixes
2. Ensure the subscripts are written.
3. The subscript of the Hydrogen atom is crisscrossed to the poly-atomic ion
"element and oxygen".
1) For Poly- atomic ions use periodic table as basis.
4. If the element has the last 3 letters of "ate" change it to -ic acid
5. If the element has the last 3 letters of "ite" change it to -ous acid
Example:
Naming the oxyacid HNO2
→ Separate the Poly- atom to the hydrogen
 H(NO2)
→ Ensure the subscripts are written
 H1(NO2)1
→ Crisscross method
 H+1(NO2)-1
→ Identify the poly-atomic ion formed
 NO2-1 in the periodic table is nitrite
→ Change the suffix
 Nitrite → Nitric acid
□ Since the last three letters are -ite, -ic acid was used.
→ Nitric acid
B. Rules in Formula Writing Oxyacids
1. Hydrogen atom is always present.
2. The suffix -ic and -ous acid equates to a specific last three letters of the
poly- atomic ion.

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 poly- atomic ion.
3. Ensure the right superscripts are written
1) Use the periodic table for the correct superscript of the poly-
atomic ion.
4. Crisscross the superscripts
Example:
Formula writing the oxyacid Carbonic acid
→ Change the suffix
 Carbonic → Carbonate
→ Identify the ionic charge of the compound
 Carbonate or (CO3)-2
→ Write the elements involved with the right superscripts
 H+1(CO3)-2
→ Crisscross method
 H2(CO3)1
→ H2CO3

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