Naming Compounds (IUPAC Nomenclature)
When early chemistry began to flourish, scientists selected names for common
substances. These names were randomly selected, usually to reflect some outstanding
property or feature of a substance. For instance, copper sulphate was commonly referred to
as bluestone, simply because this compound looks like blue stones. As more and more
compounds were discovered, it became apparent that a systematic method of naming
(nomenclature) was needed. The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemists (IUPAC)
developed a naming system, parts of which you will be introduced to in this unit of study.
There are generally 2 purposes for this naming system:
1) To provide a nomenclature that would be recognized internationally so that chemists
around the world could effectively communicate with one another.
2) To provide a systematic approach to naming chemicals so that new compounds could
easily be named according to existing nomenclature
PART I - BINARY COMPOUNDS
A binary compound is a compound that is made up of only 2 elements.
Type A: Covalent Compounds A non-metal element bonded to another non-metal
element.
► when naming these compounds the prefix system must be used
► the less electronegative element is written first
► the number of atoms of each element is indicated by using the appropriate prefix before
the element name
► the prefix "mono" is not to appear at the beginning of a name
► learn the following:
1 mono 6 hexa
2 di 7 hepta
3 tri 8 octa
4 tetra 9 nona
5 penta 10 deca
example: SO2 sulphur dioxide
a) P2S3 d) carbon monoxide
b) SF4 e) nitrogen trihydride
c) P2O4
SALTS (see Types B and C below)
► a compound in which a cation (excluding H+) is bonded to an anion (excluding OH - )
► the anion can be single ion or polyatomic
Type B: A metal element bonded to a non-metal element. (but not an acid)
The cation has only one possible valence
1. Naming
Example: NaCl sodium chloride
► name of metal element written first
► name of non-metal element written last
► suffix of non-metal element changed to end in "ide"
► space between the 2 names
► capitals only used if the name of the compound begins a sentence
a) MgO c) Al2O3
b) NaF d) LiH
2. Writing formula
► write the symbol for the metal element first, the non-metal element second.
► mentally mark in the valence numbers above each element
► bring the valence numbers (oxidation numbers) into the subscripts after crisscrossing
► eliminate any signs (+ or - ) and omit any 1's.
► reduce the subscripts to lowest terms if possible,
Example: sodium oxide
a) magnesium chloride b) magnesium oxide c) lithium phosphide
Type C: A metal element bonded to a non-metal element
The cation is divalent.
a) Stock nomenclature
► many transition elements have more than one possible valence
► the name of the compound must identify which cation is present
► the valence state (oxidation state) is identified by using a Roman numeral in brackets
following the name of the metal ion
► called the Stock system after the chemist who first used it
example: mercury(II) chloride HgCl2
1. Writing formula using Stock nomenclature:
► same rules as for other binary ionic compounds
► but as stated above the valence of the cation is identified by using the Roman numeral
of its valence
examples:
a) lead(II) chloride d) copper(I) sulfide
b) iron(III) nitride e) lead(IV) oxide
c) iron(II) oxide
2. Naming the-compound using Stock nomenclature
► when the formula is examined
■ identify whether or not the cation is on the divalent list
■ the valence state of the cation must be determined
► to determine cation valence
▪ cross back the subscripts to an imaginary position above the element
▪ omit the + and -
▪ verify that this matches the valence of the anion
▪ if it doesn't determine the factor needed to make the anion valence match
▪ multiply cation valence by same factor
example: 3 1 -the valence of Cl is 1, so the valence of Fe must be 3
FeCl3 iron(III) chloride
a) SnCl4 c) Fe2O3
b) PbO2 d) CuF
b) Latin Nomenclature
► applies to elements that are capable of possessing 2 valence numbers
iron - ferrum lead - plumbum
tin - stannum copper - cuprum
► The Latin name replaces the Stock system for naming the cation involved.
► The "ous suffix is used to represent the lower valence state.
► The "ic" suffix is used to represent the higher valence state.
Examples:
Cu1+ cuprous Cu2+ cupric
a) plumbic chloride c) Fe2O3
b) stannous oxide d) PbBr2
Type D Binary Acids
► Binary acids are characterized by a formula displaying hydrogen bonded to a non-metal
element.
► The formula for a binary acid always shows hydrogen at the front.
► Binary acids are aqueous solutions of the corresponding gas
These are the only examples of binary acids:
PART II - COMPOUNDS THAT ARE NOT BINARY
Polyatomic Ions
► a charged particle consisting of 2 or more atoms bonded to each other
1. Writing the formula of compounds with polyatomic ions
► recognize that any compound name ending in "ate" or “ite" contains a polyatomic ion
► the other common polyatomic ions are the ammonium (NH4+) cation and the hydroxide
(OH-) and cyanide (CN-) anions (see list)
► place the ions as you would in writing a binary formula, imagining the valence above the
ions
► before you crossover place the polyatomic ion in brackets
► place the crossed over number outside of the bracket as a subscript
► note that the polyatomic ion is NOT changed from its original form
► if the subscript is " 1 " remove the brackets
example: sodium chlorate magnesium chlorate
+1 -1 +2 -1
Na ClO3 Mg ClO3
NaClO3 Mg(ClO3)2
a) calcium nitrate c) lead(II) carbonate
b) tin(II) phosphate d) magnesium sulphate
2. Naming compounds with polyatomic ions:
► the same rules apply as discussed for binary compounds
► the trick is to recognize that a polyatomic ion is present in the compound
a) Na2SO4 c) Zn3(PO4)2
b) AgNO3 d) CuCO3
OXYACIDS
► Oxyacids are made up of 3 or more elements
► Two of the three elements are oxygen and hydrogen.
► The other element is a non-metal.
► Hydrogen always appears at the beginning of an acid formula.
► Most oxyacids involve a bond between hydrogen and a polyatomic ion.
Naming Oxyacids
Recall: Polyatomic ions ending in "ate". (acids end in “ic”)
polyatomic number of H+ oxyacid
ion combined formed
nitrate NO3- H+ HNO3 nitric acid
chlorate ClO3- H+ HClO3 chloric acid
carbonate CO32- 2 H+ H2CO3 carbonic acid
sulphate SO42- 2 H+ H2SO4 sulphuric acid
phosphate PO43- 3 H+ H3PO4 phosphoric acid
Recall: Polyatomic ions ending in "ite". (acids end in “ous”)
polyatomic number of H+ oxyacid
ion combined formed
nitrate NO2- H+ HNO2 nitrous acid
chlorate ClO2- H+ HClO2 chlorous acid
carbonate CO22- 2 H+ H2CO2 carbonous acid
sulphate SO32- 2 H+ H2SO3 sulphurous acid
phosphate PO33- 3 H+ H3PO3 phosphorous acid
HYDRATES
► Some salts retain water upon evaporation.
► As a result, the crystal lattice of the salt incorporates a specific number of water
molecules into its structure
► Hydrates are named by writing down the salt name followed by
o a dot
o prefix to indicate the number of water molecules and the word hydrate (no
space between)
Examples:
a) CuSO4 • 5H2O c) cobalt(II) chloride hexahydrate
b) Ba(OH)2 • 8H2O d) lithium chloride tetrahydrate
Peroxides
Simply write the formula of the oxide, and add one extra oxygen atom.
Example:
sodium oxide ___________ water ___��---------
sodium peroxide __________ peroxide _____________
Note: Do not reduce subscripts
Monatomic Gases
The group 8 gases are referred to as noble gases. Because of their stable octet of outer electrons, these
gases usually remain as discrete monatomic particles.
He ______________ Ne ___________
Kr______________ Ar ____________
Xe ______________ Rn ____________
Diatomic Gases
The molecules of these elemental gases consists of pairs of identical atoms. There are only seven
elemental diatomic gases that are commonly encountered.
Recall: "HOFBrlNCI"
H2(gJ __________ l,(g) __________
02(g) __________ N21,1 __________
F2181 __________ Ch<,J __________
Br2181 __________
Note: phosphorous and sulfur exist as molecules in their standard state
phosphorous ________
sulfur ----------
