Naming Compounds and

Writing Formulas 2.2.3

KeyQuestion:
Why Do Atoms Combine In Certain Ratios?
Review of Oxidation Numbers
 Chemical Compound Quiz

Sodium chloride is a flavorful addition to many

foods. What is the common name?

Salt
Review of Oxidation Numbers

 All compounds have an electrical charge of zero

(they are neutral).
 An oxidation number indicates the charge on the
atom (or ion) when electrons are lost, gained, or
shared in chemical bonds.
 Oxidation Numbers

 A sodium atom always ionizes

to become Na+ (a charge of
+1) when it combines with
other atoms to make a
compound.
 Therefore, we say that sodium
has an oxidation number of 1+.

What is chlorine’s oxidation number?

H
He
Li Be B C N
O F Ne
Na Mg Al Si
The Number Of Electrons In The
Outside Energy Level.
P
You Might Be a Redneck If…

You take your dog for a walk and

both use the same tree.
You burn your yard rather than mow
it.
 Ionic Bonds

 On the periodic table, strong electron donors are on the

left side (alkali metals).
 Strong electron acceptors are on the right side
(halogens).
 The further apart two elements are on the periodic table,
the more likely they are to form an ionic compound.
 Covalent Bonds

 Covalent compounds form when elements have roughly

equal tendencies to accept electrons.
 Elements that are both nonmetals and therefore close
together on the periodic table tend to form covalent
compounds.
Oxidation Numbers, Lewis Structures And
Chemical Formulas
 Remember,
the oxidation numbers for all the atoms in a
compound must add up to zero.
Multiple Oxidation Numbers

 Some periodic tables list

multiple oxidation numbers
for most elements.
 This is because more
complex bonding is possible.
Naming Compounds and
Writing Formulas
 Naming Binary Ionic Compounds:
At the conclusion of our time together, you
should be able to:

1. Name a binary ionic compound with a metal

that has one oxidation number using
standard naming procedures
2. Name a binary ionic compound with a metal
that has multiple oxidation numbers using the
Roman system
3. Write the formula of a binary ionic compound
if given the name
 6 Types Of Chemical Compounds

•Binary ionic - metal ion – nonmetal

ion
•Binary molecular - two nonmetals
•Ternary ionic - at least one ion is a
polyatomic ion
•Binary acid - H – nonmetal
•Ternary acid - H – Polyatomic ion
•Base - metal ion – OH
Naming Compounds with Ionic Bonds
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 stairstep of
the Periodic Table.
•Metalloids are the 6 elements on or below the stairstep
except Al, Po and At. For naming purposes they will tend
to behave like nonmetals.
Naming Binary Compounds

 A binary ionic compound is held together by ionic

bonds.
 Binary molecular compounds consist of covalently
bonded atoms.
 Each type of compound has its own naming rules.
How Do You Name Binary Ionic Compounds?

(Composed Of Two Elements – A Metal And A

Nonmetal)

•Name the first ion

•From groups 1, 2, 3, 13, zinc, cadmium, or silver.
(You must use a Roman Numeral with the name for
the other metals – we’ll discuss this later.)
•Name the second ion changing the suffix to –ide.
Naming Binary Ionic Compounds

 MgBr2 is magnesium (name

of first element) + brom (root
name of second element) +
ide suffix = magnesium
bromide
 Examples
NaCl
Sodium Chloride
Name the metal ion
CaO
Calcium Oxide Name the nonmetal ion,
changing the suffix to –ide.
Al2S3
Aluminum Sulfide
MgI2
Magnesium Iodide
Redneck Hotel!
Examples

This is two metals – not a binary ionic

BaNa2 You
Theshould
name recognize
of this is Banana
a problem
(haha!!)
with this
compound
one
What is the name of this
compound:
HIJKLMNO?
WATER – “H” to “O”
You have to admit – that was
funny!
 Exit Quiz
LiCl
Lithium Chloride
Name the metal ion
CaSe
Calcium Selenide Name the nonmetal ion, changing
the suffix to –ide.
Ga2S3
Gallium Sulfide

MgF2
Magnesium Fluoride
What About The Transition Metals And Using Roman
Numerals? How Does That Work?
Let’s See. Notice – metal and nonmetal.
FeO Name the first ion. Since the first ion is a transition
element, you must use a Roman Numeral to
Iron(II) represent the charge.
Oxide How do you know the charge?
Deductive reasoning.
•All compounds are neutral.
•Oxygen has a -2 charge (group 16)
•Therefore, iron must have a +2 charge since there
Isn’t this easy is one iron and one oxygen. Iron gets a Roman
and FUN!!! Numeral (II).
 Name the first ion. Since it is a transition metal, you
Cu2S 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)
•There are two coppers
Copper (I)
•Therefore each copper must have a +1 charge for the
Sulfide
compound to be neutral
 MnO2 Name the first ion. Since it is a transition
metal, you must use a Roman Numeral.
How do you determine the Roman Numeral?

Manganese (IV) It is the same as the charge.

oxide What is the charge of Mn?
•Oxygen (group 16) has a -2 charge and a total
of -4 charge.
•There are two oxygens with one manganese.
•Therefore Mn must have a +4 charge for this
compound to be neutral.
 Things You Can Learn
From Your Dog!!

•
When it is hot outside, drink lots of water.
•
Take naps.
 So Why Must We Use Roman Numerals With
Transition Elements?
•The metals in groups 1, 2, 3, and 13 have single, definite charges.
•Group 1 metals have a +1 charge.
•Group 2 metals have a +2 charge.
•Groups 3 and 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. Which one of
Copper (I
(II)) oxide these is Copper oxide? We must distinguish these
by using a Roman Numeral
Copper is +2
+1
 And Remember, There Are Three Transition Elements
Which Do Not Require A Roman Numeral Because They
Have Single Definite Charges. These Are:
Zinc – Zn2+ Cadmium – Cd2+ Silver – Ag+
You need to remember the charges for these.

Name the first ion.

Ag2O
Silver oxide Name the second ion changing the
suffix to –ide.
No Roman
Numerals needed
Name the first ion. for these.
ZnCl2
Zinc chloride Name the second ion changing the
suffix to –ide.
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 each ion
Mg2+ Cl- Balance the charges by supplying
Cl- subscripts. Subscripts tell how many of
MgCl2 each atom is present.
You need a second Cl-1 to balance the
charges
Iron (III) bromide

Fe3+ Br - Write the symbol and charge of each ion.

Br - The charge of the iron is provided by the
Roman Numeral.
Br -
Balance the charges by supplying
FeBr3
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 each ion.

Al3+ S2- Balance the charges by supplying subscripts.

Al3+ S2-
S2- In this case the charges do not evenly divide
into each other. You must find the least
common multiple. SIX

Al2S3 How many aluminums are needed to arrive at

a +6 charge?
2
How many sulfurs are needed to arrive at a -6
charge?
3
Jobs you get with a Chemistry Major
Writing Formulas a Little Quicker

Iron and oxygen combine to form a compound. Iron (Fe)

has an oxidation number of 3+. Oxygen (O) has an
oxidation number of 2–.
Predict the chemical formula of this compound.
Writing Formulas a Little Quicker

3 2-
F +
2
O3
e
Simply cross the oxidation numbers
and make them positive
Let’s Try Another One:

Manganese (IV) phosphide

4 3-
M +
3
P4
n
Let’s Try One More:

Manganese (IV) oxide

Cross but in
4 2-
M O4 +
2
this case they
must be

n dropped!

MnO2
 Naming Binary Ionic Compounds:
Let’s see if you can:

1. Name a binary ionic compound with a metal

that has one oxidation number using
standard naming procedures
2. Name a binary ionic compound with a metal
that has multiple oxidation numbers using the
Roman system
3. Write the formula of a binary ionic compound
if given the name
Exit Quiz – Formula for magnesium chloride?
2+ 1-

MgCl2
Exit Quiz – Formula for sodium oxide?
1+ 2-

Na2O
Exit Quiz – Name for:
6+ 6-
3+ 2-
Fe2O3 Iron (III) oxide
Exit Quiz: Formula for Chromium (IV) oxide

4+ 2-
Cr O
2 4
CrO2
 Murphy's Laws
of
Science and Technology

Logic is a systematic method of coming to the wrong

conclusion with confidence.
Naming Compounds and
Writing Formulas II
 6 Types Of Chemical Compounds

•Binary ionic - metal ion – nonmetal

ion
•Binary molecular - two nonmetals
•Ternary ionic - at least one ion is a
polyatomic ion
•Binary acid - H – nonmetal
•Ternary acid - H – Polyatomic ion
•Base - metal ion – OH
 Naming Binary Molecular and Ternary
Ionic Compounds:
At the conclusion of our time together, you
should be able to:

1. Name a binary molecular compound

2. Name a ternary ionic compound with a metal
that has one and multiple oxidation numbers
using the appropriate system
3. Write the formula of a binary molecular and
ternary ionic compound if given the name
 The Second 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
 Naming Binary Molecular Compounds

 As with binary ionic compounds, the ending of the name of

the second element in the compound is modified by adding
the suffix –ide.
 Familiar Saying

Socially orientated individuals tend to congregate in

gregariously homogenous groupings.
Birds of a feather flock together!!
CO2 Name the first element. Since there is
only one, no prefix is needed.
Carbon dioxide
The second element always gets a prefix
CO and a suffix of –ide.
Carbon monoxide

N2O4 Name the first element. Since

Dinitrogen tetroxide there are two present, the prefix
“di” is needed. The second
H2O element always gets a prefix and
a suffix of –ide.
Dihydrogen monoxide

CCl4
 What do you think about this one???
AlCl3 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 name it
aluminum chloride.
 Given The Names Of Binary Molecular
Compounds, How Do You Write The Formulas?

Very easily done!!! 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.
The lack of a prefix on silicon means
SiO 2
that there is only ONE silicon.
The prefix “di” in front of oxide means
that there are TWO oxygens.

Diphosphorous pentachloride
Phosphorous and chloride are both
nonmetals.
P 2Cl 5
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

NO nonmetals.
The lack of a prefix on nitrogen
means only ONE nitrogen.
The prefix “mono” on oxygen
indicates ONE oxygen.
Is this not sooooooo easy!??
A Flow Chart For Naming Binary Compounds
Redneck Innovations

Coach Holmes

My Students
 Third 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.
Let’s look at some examples of polyatomic ions.
CO32- 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.
You have been given a list of other polyatomic ions

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 Ion

•Ammonium + negative ion (nonmetal)

•Metal (positive ion) + negative polyatomic ion
•Ammonium + negative polyatomic ion
 Naming Compounds with Polyatomic Ions as
Cations

 NH4Cl is ammonium (the

name of the ion from chart) +
chlor (root name of the
second element) + ide suffix
= ammonium chloride.
 Naming Compounds with Polyatomic Ions as
Anions
1. Name the first ion.
2. Name the second ion. Isn’t that simple??!!
Examples: When you look at this compound you should
Na2CO3 recognize that this is NOT binary. There are
THREE elements present. When you see this,
Sodium immediately look for a polyatomic ion.
carbonate Carbonate is present here.

Notice that you do NOT

change the suffix – just Name the first ion.
name the polyatomic Name the second ion.
ion
 Fe(OH)3 Name the first ion.
Iron (III) Remember that iron requires a Roman
Numeral since it is a transition element.
hydroxide
What Roman Numeral should be used?
Since there
are 3 OH
groups, each The Roman Numeral comes from the
with a -1 charge of the ion. How do you find the
charge, the charge of the iron?
charge of the
iron must be You know two things:
+3 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.

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

 Naming Compounds with Polyatomic Ions as
Cations and Anions

Name the first ion.

(NH4)3PO4
Ammonium Name the second ion.
phosphate
 Cu2SO4 Name the first ion.

You should realize that you

Copper (I) sulfate need a Roman Numeral since
copper is a transition metal.
Name the second ion.
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.
 Euphemisms in Science
We all know that some politicians and government spokesmen
use certain euphemistic phrases to give an aura of respectability
to descriptions of events or actions which would be offensive
when expressed in plain English. The following is a list of
Euphemisms in Science and their translations into plain English.

“It has long been known...”

I haven't bothered to look up any references!

How Do You Write Formulas For Ternary Ionic
Compounds?
Very Much Like Writing Formulas For Binary Ionic
Compounds.
Three Steps:
1. Write the formulas/symbols of each ion.
2. Balance the charges by supplying subscripts.
3. 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
that there is a polyatomic ion
Al3+ NO3-
present (nitrate). All binary ionic
Al(NO3)3 compounds have suffixes of –ide.

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-

to balance one Al3+

Since you will need a subscript of 3 for NO3-, you need

to put this in parentheses with the 3 outside.
Lead (IV) acetate Write the formula/symbol and charge of
each ion.
Pb4+ C2H3O2-
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 charge of

Calcium phosphate each ion.
Ca2+ PO43- Balance the charges by supplying
subscripts. Since Ca is +2 and PO4 is -3,
Ca3(PO4)2 you will need 3 Ca+2 to balance 2 PO4-3
Strategy For Naming Ternary Ionic
Compounds.
What’s in a name?
 Cyanide – CN
 Ammonium – NH4
 Methane – CH4
 Hydroxide – OH
 What Do You Call A Detective
Crossed With A Inner Transition
Metal?

Sherlock Holmium
 Naming Binary Molecular and Ternary
Ionic Compounds:
Let’s see if you can:

1. Name a binary molecular compound

2. Name a ternary ionic compound with a metal
that has one and multiple oxidation numbers
using the appropriate system
3. Write the formula of a binary molecular and
ternary ionic compound if given the name
 Exit Quiz

CO2 SO3
Carbon dioxide Sulfur trioxide

SO CO
Sulfur monoxide Carbon monoxide

N2O5 B2O3
Dinitrogen pentoxide Diboron trioxide

CF4 NF5
Carbon tetrafluoride Nitrogen pentafluoride
Exit Quiz

 Al3+ combines with sulfate (SO4)2– to make aluminum

sulfate.
 Write the chemical formula for aluminum sulfate.
Exit Quiz Answer

3 2-
Al (SO4)3
+
2
Let’s Try Another One:

Manganese (IV) phosphate

4 3-
M (PO4)
+
3 4
n
Let’s Try One More:

Manganese (IV) carbonate

4+ 2-
M 2 (CO3)
4
n
Mn(CO3)2
 Familiar Saying

It is fruitless to attempt to indoctrinate a superannuated

canine with innovative maneuvers.
You can’t teach an old dog new tricks!