Naming Compounds and

Writing Formulas
Module 12
5 types of chemical
compounds
•Binary ionic - metal ion –
nonmetal ion
•Ternary ionic - at least one ion is
a polyatomic ion
•Binary molecular - two
nonmetals
Tips to keep in mind when naming and writing
formulas:
Always keep your Periodic Table handy – You
should have it in front of you ALWAYS when you
are naming and writing formulas.
Remember that metals (except Hydrogen) are
found to the left of the stairstep on the Periodic
Table.
Nonmetals are found on the right side of the
Periodic Table.
Transition Metals are found from Group 3 to the
stairstep (except aluminum which is a regular
metal)
How do you name binary ionic
compounds? (composed of two
elements – a metal and a
nonmetal)
•Name the first ion
•If the first ion is a transition
element other than zinc, cadmium,
or silver, you must use a Roman
Numeral with the name – we’ll
discuss this later.
•Name the second ion changing the
suffix to –ide.
Examples What is the name of this
compound:
NaCl
Sodium Chloride Name the metal ion
HIJKLMNO?
WATER – “H” to “O”
CaO
You have to admit – that was
Calcium Oxide Name the nonmetal
funny!
Al2S3 ion, changing the
Aluminum Sulfide suffix to –ide.
MgI2
Magnesium Iodide
BaNa2 Thisshould
The
You is two of
name metals
this is–Banana
recognize not a binary
(JOKE
a problem ionic
– this
with haha)one
compound
What about the transition metals and using
roman numerals? How does that work? Let’s see.
FeO Notice – metal and nonmetal.
Iron II Oxide Name the first ion. Since the first ion is
a transition element, you must use a
Roman Numeral to represent the
charge.
How do you know the charge?
Deductive reasoning.
All compounds are neutral.
Isn’t this
easy and Oxygen has a -2 charge (group 16)
FUN!!! Therefore ….. Iron must have a +2
charge since there is one iron and one
oxygen. Iron gets a Roman Numeral II.
Cu2S Name the first ion. Since it is a transition
metal, you must use a Roman Numeral.
Which Roman Numeral? The Roman
Numeral is the same as the charge of the
ion.
How do you find the charge?
Deductive reasoning!
All compounds are neutral
Sulfur has a -2 charge (group 16)
Copper I There are two coppers.
Sulfide
Therefore each copper must have a +1
charge for all ions to be neutral
Another Example: MnO2
Name the first ion. Since it is a
transition metal, you must use a
Roman Numeral.
How do you determine the Roman
Manganese IV Numeral?
oxide
It is the same as the charge.
What is the charge of Mn?
All compounds are neutral.
Oxygen (group 16) has a -2 charge.
There are two oxygens and one Mn.
Therefore Mn must have a +4 charge
for this compound to be neutral.
So why must we use Roman Numerals with transition
elements?
The metals in groups 1, 2, and 13 have single, definite
charges.
Group 1 metals have a +1 charge.
Group 2 metals have a +2 charge.
Group 13 metals have a +3 charge.
Transition metals may have multiple charges – usually
two different positive charges.
For example, there are two copper oxide compounds:
Cu2O and CuO We can’t just say Copper oxide.
Copper II oxide Which one of these is Copper oxide?
I oxide
We must distinguish these by using a
Copper is +2
+1 Roman Numeral
There are three transition elements which do not require
a Roman Numeral because they have single definite
charges. These are
Zinc – Zn+2
Cadmium – Cd +2
You need to remember
Silver – Ag+1
the charges for these.
Ag2O Name the first ion. No
Silver oxide Name the second ion Roman
changing the suffix to –ide.
Numerals
ZnCl2 Name the first ion. needed
Zinc chloride Name the second ion for these.
changing the suffix to –ide.
Sometimes you will see the transition elements named
using common names. Transition metals named with
Roman Numerals involves stock names.
The common names use the Latin derivative of the
element’s name with a suffix of either –ous or –ic.
The –ous suffix name corresponds with the smaller
charge.
The –ic suffix name corresponds with the larger charge.
Cuprous = Copper I Ferrous = Iron II
Cupric = Copper II Ferric = Iron III
Plumbous = Lead II There are many more – just be
familiar with these six common
Plumbic = Lead IV names.
In Summary
Stock name Common Name
Copper I Cuprous
Copper II Cupric

Iron II Ferrous

Iron III Ferric

Lead (II) Plumbous

Lead (IV) plumbic

How do you write formulas for binary
ionic compounds given the name?
Two simple steps:
1.Write the symbol and charge of each ion
2.Balance the charges by providing subscripts
Magnesium chloride Write the symbol and charge of
Mg+2 Cl-1 each ion.
Cl-1 Balance the charges by supplying
subscripts. Subscripts tell how

MgCl 2
many of each atom is present.
You need a second Cl-1 to balance
the charges
More examples: Iron III bromide

Fe+3 Br -1 Write the symbol and charge of

Br -1 each ion. The charge of the iron
Br -1 is provided by the Roman
Numeral.

FeBr3
Balance the charges by
supplying subscripts. The
subscripts tell how many of
each ion is needed to balance
the compound.

You’ll need three bromine ions to

balance the one iron.
Aluminum Sulfide Write the symbol and charge of
Al+3 S-2 each ion.
Al+3 S-2
S-2 Balance the charges by supplying
subscripts.
In this case the charges do not
evenly divide into each other. You

Al2S3 must find the least common

multiple. SIX

How many aluminums are needed

to arrive at a +6 charge? 2

How many sulfurs are needed to

arrive at a -6 charge? 3
Second Category of compounds – Ternary Ionic
Compounds. These compounds contain at least
one polyatomic ion.
What is a polyatomic ion?
Let’s look at the name to try to understand.
It is an ion – that means it has a charge.
It is polyatomic – that means it is made of more
than one atom.
Simple as that!!
Let’s look at some examples of polyatomic ions.
CO3-2 carbonate This ion is composed of one
carbon and three oxygens and the
entire group has a charge of -2.
Polyatomic ion – Group of atoms that act as a unit and
carry a charge.
More examples: PO4
-3
Phosphate

SO -2
Sulfate C2H3O2-1 Acetate
4

SO -2
Sulfite OH-1 Hydroxide
3

ClO -1
Perchlorate NO3-1 Nitrate
4
NO2-1 Nitrite
ClO 3
-1
Chlorate
NH4+1 Ammonium
ClO2-1 Chlorite
(only positive PI)
ClO-1 Hypochlorite You need to learn these!!!
How do you recognize Ternary Ionic
Compounds?
Composed of two ions in which at least one is a
polyatomic ion.
There is only one positive polyatomic ion (NH4+1)
Three possible types of Ternary Ionic
Compounds:
Polyatomic Ions
•Ammonium + negative ion (nonmetal)
•Metal (positive ion) + negative polyatomic ion
•Ammonium + negative polyatomic ion
How do you name Ternary Ionic Compounds?
EASY! PIECE OF CAKE! NO PROBLEM!
Name the first ion.
Name the second ion. Isn’t that simple??!!
Examples: When you look at this compound you
Na2CO3 should recognize that this is NOT
binary. There are THREE elements
Sodium carbonate present. When you see this,
immediately look for a polyatomic ion.
Notice that you do Carbonate is present here.
NOT change the
suffix – just name Name the first ion.
the polyatomic ion Name the second ion.
A few more examples:
Fe(OH)3 Name the first ion.
Iron III hydroxide Remember that iron requires a
Roman Numeral since it is a
Since there are transition element. What Roman
3 OH groups, Numeral should be used?
each with a -1 The Roman Numeral comes from the
charge, the charge of the ion. How do you find
charge of the the charge of the iron?
iron must be +3 You know two things:
for the •All compounds are neutral.
compound to
be neutral •You know the charge of OH (-1)
Name the polyatomic ion.
NH4Cl Name the first ion.

Ammonium chloride Name the second ion.

Notice that since the second ion is a nonmetal that, like
binary ionic compounds, the suffix of the nonmetal
changes to –ide.

(NH4)3PO4 Name the first ion.

Ammonium phosphate Name the second ion.

Looks like a monster, but it’s really a pussycat.

ONE more example: Name the first ion.
Cu2SO4 You should realize that you
need a Roman Numeral
Copper I sulfate since copper is a transition
metal.
The Roman Numeral is the
same as the charge.
What is the charge?
The charge of sulfate is -2.
Since there are two coppers,
the charge of the copper
must be +1.
Name the second ion.
How do you write formulas for Ternary Ionic
Compounds?
Very much like writing formulas for Binary Ionic
Compounds.
Two steps:
•Write the formulas/symbols of each ion.
•Balance the charges by supplying subscripts.
•If a subscript is needed for a polyatomic ion, it
must be put in parentheses with the subscript
on the outside.
Let’s do some!!
Aluminum nitrate First, you can tell from the name
Al+3 NO3-1 that there is a polyatomic ion
present (nitrate). All binary ionic
compounds have suffixes of –ide.
Al(NO3)3
Write the formula/symbol and charge of each ion.

Balance the charges by supplying subscripts.

Since Al is +3 and NO3 is -1, you need a total of
3NO3-1 to balance one Al+3
Since you will need a subscript of 3 for NO 3-1, you
need to put this in parentheses with the 3 outside.
Lead (IV) acetate Write the formula/symbol and
charge of each ion.
Pb+4 C2H3O2-1
Balance the charges by supplying
Pb(C2H3O2)4 subscripts. Since Pb is +4 and
C2H3O2 is -1, you will need 4 C2H3O2-
1
to balance 1Pb+4

Write the formula/symbol and

Calcium phosphate
charge of each ion.
Ca+2 PO4-3 Balance the charges by supplying
subscripts. Since Ca is +2 and PO4
Ca3(PO4)2 is -3, you will need 3 Ca+2 to
balance 2 PO4-3
The Third Category of Compounds – Binary
Molecular
What are Binary Molecular Compounds?
These compounds contain two elements (binary).
The term “molecular” indicates that these
elements are joined by a covalent bond.
They must therefore be nonmetals.
Bottom line – 2 elements – both nonmetals
To name and write formulas for these, you must
know some numerical prefixes.
Naming – you must use prefixes.
1 = mono 3 = tri 5 = penta 7 = hepta 9=
nona
2 = di 4 = tetra 6 = hexa 8 = octa 10 =
deca
Steps

1.The first nonmetal only gets a numeric prefix

when there is more than one. No prefix if
there is only one.
2.The second element always gets a numeric
prefix and always has a suffix of -ide
CO2 Name the first element. Since
there is only one, no prefix is
Carbon dioxide needed. The second element
always gets a prefix and a suffix of
CO –ide.
Carbon monoxide Name the first element.
Since there are two present,
N2O4 the prefix “di” is needed. The
second element always gets
Dinitrogen tetraoxide a prefix and a suffix of –ide.
H2O
Do you think it wise
Dihydrogen monoxide to BAN DHMO?
CCl4
AlCl3 What do you think about this one???
Be careful. This is a metal and nonmetal.
Always keep your Periodic Table in front of
you for reference.
You may have been tempted to say
“aluminum trichloride”. This is INCORRECT!
This is a binary IONIC compound. No
prefixes are used. Simply aluminum chloride.
Given the names of binary molecular compounds, how
do you write the formulas?
Very easy to do!!! The prefixes tell you how to write the
formulas. DO NOT CONSIDER CHARGES.
NONMETALS ARE ALL NEGATIVE SO TO USE
CHARGES DOES NOT WORK!
Silicon dioxide Silicon and oxygen are both
nonmetals.
SiO2 The lack of a prefix on silicon means
that there is only ONE silicon.
The prefix “di” in front of oxide means
that there are TWO oxygens.
Diphosphorous pentachloride
P2Cl5 Phosphorous and chloride are both
nonmetals.
The prefix “di” means that there are
TWO phosphorouses (Is that a word?)
The prefix “penta” before chlorine means
that there are five chlorines.
Nitrogen monoxide Nitrogen and oxygen are both
nonmetals.

NO The lack of a prefix on nitrogen

means only ONE nitrogen.
The prefix “mono” on oxygen
indicates ONE oxygen.

Is this not sooooooo easy!??

What are Binary Acids?
Binary means two elements
Acid means it contains hydrogen
The second element is a nonmetal
hydrogen – nonmetal
Naming
All binary acids follow the pattern as shown
below:
Prefix Stem or root
of nonmetal Suffix

Hydro- < NM > -ic Acid

HCl is a binary acid – hydrogen - nonmetal

HCl Hydrochloric Acid

HI Hydroiodic Acid

H2S Hydrosulfuric Acid

Given the name, how do you write formulas for binary
acids?
The obvious pattern of the name tells you that it is a
binary acid. Hydro<NM>ic Acid.
Therefore, you know that the acids begins with hydrogen
and contains a nonmetal which you can identify between
the “Hydro” and the “ic”
To arrive at the formula, you “pretend” that hydrogen is
+1 and using the normal charge of the nonmetal,
balance the formula by supplying subscripts.
Hydrofluoric Acid The name tells you that this is a
binary acid.
H+1 F-1
HF
Hydrophosphoric acid The name tells you that it is
definitely a binary acid.
H+1 P-3

H3P
Remember that the P has a -3 charge because it is in
group 15
Let’s Practice
Ca(OH)2 Ternary Ionic
Calcium hydroxide
SO2 Binary molecular

Sulfur dioxide
Ternary Ionic
(NH4)3PO4
Ammonium phosphate
Ternary Ionic
Co2(CO3)3
Cobalt (III) carbonate
Binary acid
HBr
Potassium acetate Ternary Ionic

KC2H3O2
Ternary Ionic
Cadmium nitrate
Cd(NO3)2
Binary Ionic
Aluminum oxide
Al2O3
Binary acid
Hydrosulfuric acid
H2S
Binary molecular
Difluorine trioxide
The fifth category of compounds is Ternary
Acids.
These compounds begin with hydrogen
since they are “acids”.
Attached to the hydrogen is a polyatomic
ion
Hydrogen – polyatomic ion
How are Ternary Acids named?
There are two categories of naming depending on
the suffix of the polyatomic ion.
First Category:
Category If the polyatomic ion has a suffix
of –ate or –ide, use the following pattern:
suffix
<Root of polyatomic ion> -ic acid
HClO3 Chlor ic Acid Ternary Acid – contains
the polyatomic ion sulfate
nitrate
HNO3 Nitr ic Acid
(suffix
cyanide
chlorate–ate).
(suffix
(suffix –ide).
–ate)
H2SO4 Sulfur ic Acid
HCN Cyan ic Acid
Second Category: If the polyatomic ion has a
suffix of –ite, use the following pattern:
suffix
<Root of polyatomic ion> -ous acid
HNO2 Nitrous acid Ternary acid contains
polyatomic ion, nitrite (-ite
suffix).
HClO2 Chlorous acid Ternary acid contains
polyatomic ion, chlorite (-ite
suffix).
H2SO3 Sulfurous acid Ternary acid contains
polyatomic ion, sulfite (-ite
suffix).
How are Ternary Acids named?
First, a ternary acid is easy to distinguish from a binary
acid.
ALL binary acids have the prefix “hydro-”.
NO Ternary acids have the prefix “hydro-”.
Acetic acid This is an acid, but NOT a binary acid.

H+1 C2H3O2-1 This is a ternary acid.

The “-ic” suffix in the acid name tells you
HC2H3O2 that the polyatomic ion must have a “-ate”
suffix – acetate.
To write the formula, pretend that
hydrogen is +1 and balance the charges.
Hypochlorous acid This is a Ternary acid (does not
begin with “hydro-”.
H+1
ClO -1
The “-ous” suffix indicates that the
polyatomic ion in this acid has a
HClO suffix of “-ite” - hypochlorite
Pretend that hydrogen is +1 and
balance the charges.
Phosphoric acid This is a Ternary acid (does not
begin with “hydro-”.

H3PO4 The “-ic” suffix indicates that the

polyatomic ion in this acid has a
suffix of “-ate” - phosphate
Pretend that hydrogen is +1 and
balance the charges.
This concludes Module 13!