Covalent CompoundsNaming Molecules

Learning GoalsTranslate 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 AcidsBinary 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 AcidsAn 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 AcidsAn acid, whether a binary acid or an oxyacid, can have a common name in addition to its compound name.