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By the end of this module, you will be able to:
  • Derive names for common types of inorganic compounds using a systematic approach

Nomenclature , a collection of rules for naming things, is important in science and in many other situations. This module describes an approach that is used to name simple ionic and molecular compounds, such as NaCl, CaCO 3 , and N 2 O 4 . The simplest of these are binary compounds , those containing only two elements, but we will also consider how to name ionic compounds containing polyatomic ions, and one specific, very important class of compounds known as acids (subsequent chapters in this text will focus on these compounds in great detail). We will limit our attention here to inorganic compounds, compounds that are composed principally of elements other than carbon, and will follow the nomenclature guidelines proposed by IUPAC. The rules for organic compounds, in which carbon is the principle element, will be treated in a later chapter on organic chemistry.

Ionic compounds

To name an inorganic compound, we need to consider the answers to several questions. First, is the compound ionic or molecular? If the compound is ionic, does the metal form ions of only one type (fixed charge) or more than one type (variable charge)? Are the ions monatomic or polyatomic? If the compound is molecular, does it contain hydrogen? If so, does it also contain oxygen? From the answers we derive, we place the compound in an appropriate category and then name it accordingly.

Compounds containing only monatomic ions

The name of a binary compound containing monatomic ions consists of the name of the cation (the name of the metal) followed by the name of the anion (the name of the nonmetallic element with its ending replaced by the suffix – ide ). Some examples are given in [link] .

Names of Some Ionic Compounds
NaCl, sodium chloride Na 2 O, sodium oxide
KBr, potassium bromide CdS, cadmium sulfide
CaI 2 , calcium iodide Mg 3 N 2 , magnesium nitride
CsF, cesium fluoride Ca 3 P 2 , calcium phosphide
LiCl, lithium chloride Al 4 C 3 , aluminum carbide

Compounds containing polyatomic ions

Compounds containing polyatomic ions are named similarly to those containing only monatomic ions, except there is no need to change to an – ide ending, since the suffix is already present in the name of the anion. Examples are shown in [link] .

Names of Some Polyatomic Ionic Compounds
KC 2 H 3 O 2 , potassium acetate (NH 4 )Cl, ammonium chloride
NaHCO 3 , sodium bicarbonate CaSO 4 , calcium sulfate
Al 2 (CO 3 ) 3 , aluminum carbonate Mg 3 (PO 4 ) 2 , magnesium phosphate

Ionic compounds in your cabinets

Every day you encounter and use a large number of ionic compounds. Some of these compounds, where they are found, and what they are used for are listed in [link] . Look at the label or ingredients list on the various products that you use during the next few days, and see if you run into any of those in this table, or find other ionic compounds that you could now name or write as a formula.

Everyday Ionic Compounds
Ionic Compound Use
NaCl, sodium chloride ordinary table salt
KI, potassium iodide added to “iodized” salt for thyroid health
NaF, sodium fluoride ingredient in toothpaste
NaHCO 3 , sodium bicarbonate baking soda; used in cooking (and as antacid)
Na 2 CO 3 , sodium carbonate washing soda; used in cleaning agents
NaOCl, sodium hypochlorite active ingredient in household bleach
CaCO 3 calcium carbonate ingredient in antacids
Mg(OH) 2 , magnesium hydroxide ingredient in antacids
Al(OH) 3 , aluminum hydroxide ingredient in antacids
NaOH, sodium hydroxide lye; used as drain cleaner
K 3 PO 4 , potassium phosphate food additive (many purposes)
MgSO 4 , magnesium sulfate added to purified water
Na 2 HPO 4 , sodium hydrogen phosphate anti-caking agent; used in powdered products
Na 2 SO 3 , sodium sulfite preservative

Questions & Answers

the diagram of the digestive system
Assiatu Reply
allimentary cannel
Ogenrwot
How does twins formed
William Reply
They formed in two ways first when one sperm and one egg are splited by mitosis or two sperm and two eggs join together
Oluwatobi
what is genetics
Josephine Reply
Genetics is the study of heredity
Misack
how does twins formed?
Misack
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Hassan Reply
discuss biological phenomenon and provide pieces of evidence to show that it was responsible for the formation of eukaryotic organelles
Joseph Reply
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Yousuf Reply
the study of living organisms and their interactions with one another and their environments
AI-Robot
the study of living organisms and their interactions with one another and their environment.
Wine
discuss the biological phenomenon and provide pieces of evidence to show that it was responsible for the formation of eukaryotic organelles in an essay form
Joseph Reply
what is the blood cells
Shaker Reply
list any five characteristics of the blood cells
Shaker
lack electricity and its more savely than electronic microscope because its naturally by using of light
Abdullahi Reply
advantage of electronic microscope is easily and clearly while disadvantage is dangerous because its electronic. advantage of light microscope is savely and naturally by sun while disadvantage is not easily,means its not sharp and not clear
Abdullahi
cell theory state that every organisms composed of one or more cell,cell is the basic unit of life
Abdullahi
is like gone fail us
DENG
cells is the basic structure and functions of all living things
Ramadan
What is classification
ISCONT Reply
is organisms that are similar into groups called tara
Yamosa
in what situation (s) would be the use of a scanning electron microscope be ideal and why?
Kenna Reply
A scanning electron microscope (SEM) is ideal for situations requiring high-resolution imaging of surfaces. It is commonly used in materials science, biology, and geology to examine the topography and composition of samples at a nanoscale level. SEM is particularly useful for studying fine details,
Hilary
cell is the building block of life.
Condoleezza Reply
what is cell divisoin?
Aron Reply
Diversity of living thing
ISCONT
what is cell division
Aron Reply
Cell division is the process by which a single cell divides into two or more daughter cells. It is a fundamental process in all living organisms and is essential for growth, development, and reproduction. Cell division can occur through either mitosis or meiosis.
AI-Robot
What is life?
Allison Reply
life is defined as any system capable of performing functions such as eating, metabolizing,excreting,breathing,moving,Growing,reproducing,and responding to external stimuli.
Mohamed
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Source:  OpenStax, Chemistry. OpenStax CNX. May 20, 2015 Download for free at http://legacy.cnx.org/content/col11760/1.9
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