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Chemical bonding and structure of matter · Inorganic nomenclature

"IUPAC nomenclature: elements, ions and inorganic compounds"

The air you breathe is $\text{N}_2$ and $\text{O}_2$; a sports drink replaces $\text{Na}^+$ and $\text{K}^+$; the bicarbonate in the first-aid kit is $\text{NaHCO}_3$. Behind every formula there is a name that is not arbitrary: it follows fixed rules that let you work out the formula from the name, and the name from the formula, without having to memorise each compound separately.

Before you start, make sure you know: IUPAC inorganic nomenclature: binary and ternary compounds (4th ESO)

Elements and ions

The helium gas that fills a balloon, the graphite in a pencil lead and the gas in an oxygen cylinder are all made of atoms of a single element, but their bonds and groupings of atoms are very different: how do we tell these substances apart and name each of them unambiguously, along with the ions they form when they gain or lose electrons?

The oxygen in this model can combine with itself in two ways: $\text{O}_2$ (the oxygen we breathe) and $\text{O}_3$ (ozone), two different simple substances of the same element.

A sodium atom loses an electron and becomes the smaller cation Na⁺; a chlorine atom gains an electron and becomes the larger anion Cl⁻. Na: 11 p⁺ · 11 e⁻ loses 1 electron + Na⁺ sodium ion cation 11 p⁺ · 10 e⁻ Cl: 17 p⁺ · 17 e⁻ gains 1 electron − Cl⁻ chloride ion anion 17 p⁺ · 18 e⁻
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On the label of an isotonic drink, the ions $\text{Na}^+$, $\text{K}^+$, $\text{Cl}^-$ and $\text{Mg}^{2+}$ are listed, which replenish the salts lost through sweat…

On the label of an isotonic drink, the ions $\text{Na}^+$, $\text{K}^+$, $\text{Cl}^-$ and $\text{Mg}^{2+}$ are listed, which replenish the salts lost through sweat during exercise.

  1. a) Write down the name of each of the four ions.
  2. b) Classify them into cations and anions and explain, based on the sign of their charge, how they differ from each other.
  3. c) Reason why the sodium ion is named the same as the atom it comes from, whereas the chloride ion changes the ending of the name of chlorine.
Solve
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Air is a mixture of substances: $\text{N}2$, $\text{O}2$, $\text{O}3$ (in the ozone layer), $\text{Ar}$, $\text{CO}2$ and water vapour, $\text{H}2\text{O}$. The figure…

Air is a mixture of substances: $\text{N}_2$, $\text{O}_2$, $\text{O}_3$ (in the ozone layer), $\text{Ar}$, $\text{CO}_2$ and water vapour, $\text{H}_2\text{O}$. The figure represents the particles of oxygen and ozone.

O O O₂ O O O O₃
  1. a) Name the first three substances.
  2. b) Classify all six into simple or compound substances and justify the criterion you have applied.
  3. c) Oxygen and ozone are composed solely of oxygen atoms and yet are different substances: explain what sets them apart and state what simple substances of the same element displaying this relationship are called.
Solve

Oxides and hydroxides

An iron nail exposed to damp air becomes covered in reddish rust, whereas when it is forged red-hot it gives off a black scale made of the same two elements in a different proportion: how can we clearly identify each possible combination without causing confusion?

Calcium hydroxide: one calcium ion Ca²⁺ combines with two hydroxide ions OH⁻, each made of one oxygen and one hydrogen, and the charges cancel out. Ca Ca²⁺ charge +2 + 2× O H O H OH⁻ OH⁻ charge −1 charge −1 Ca(OH)₂: 2 charges − cancel the charge +2
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A car tailpipe emits carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, and quicklime used in construction is calcium oxide. a) Write down the formulae of carbon monoxide and carbon…

A car tailpipe emits carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, and quicklime used in construction is calcium oxide.

  1. a) Write down the formulae of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide from the prefixes of their systematic names.
  2. b) Deduce the formula of calcium oxide knowing that calcium forms the $\text{Ca}^{2+}$ ion and oxygen the $\text{O}^{2-}$ ion, and that every formula must be electrically neutral.
  3. c) Over time, a balcony railing becomes coated with an oxide of formula $\text{FeO}$, in which iron has an oxidation number of $+2$: name it using Stock nomenclature.
Solve
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Oven cleaner contains $\text{NaOH}$ and slaked lime used to whitewash walls is $\text{Ca(OH)}2$. Both are hydroxides, compounds formed by a metal and the hydroxide ion,…

Oven cleaner contains $\text{NaOH}$ and slaked lime used to whitewash walls is $\text{Ca(OH)}_2$. Both are hydroxides, compounds formed by a metal and the hydroxide ion, $\text{OH}^-$. The diagram shows how the ion charges balance each other in each compound.

+1 Na + −1 O H NaOH (+1) + (−1) = 0 +2 Ca + −1 O H + −1 O H Ca(OH)₂ (+2) + 2·(−1) = 0
  1. a) Name the two compounds.
  2. b) Explain what the brackets in the second formula indicate and count how many hydroxide ions are in each formula unit of the two compounds.
  3. c) Reason, using the charges of the $\text{Na}^+$ and $\text{Ca}^{2+}$ ions, which of the two metals requires two hydroxide ions for the formula to be neutral.
Solve
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In the laboratory there are two bottles of iron chloride: one containing $\text{FeCl}2$ and another containing $\text{FeCl}3$. Iron can have oxidation numbers of $+2$…

In the laboratory there are two bottles of iron chloride: one containing $\text{FeCl}_2$ and another containing $\text{FeCl}_3$. Iron can have oxidation numbers of $+2$ and $+3$, and chlorine forms the $\text{Cl}^-$ ion.

  1. a) Name the two compounds using Stock nomenclature.
  2. b) Name them using traditional nomenclature (suffixes -ous and -ic).
  3. c) Justify, based on the charges of the ions, why one of the two contains two chloride ions and the other three.
Solve

Hydracids and oxoacids

Series of the four oxoacids of chlorine: HClO, HClO₂, HClO₃ and HClO₄, with one circle for each oxygen atom, their oxidation state from +1 to +7 and their traditional name (hypochlorous, chlorous, chloric, perchloric). Formula O atoms Name Oxid. no. HClO hypochlorous Cl +1 HClO₂ chlorous Cl +3 HClO₃ chloric Cl +5 HClO₄ perchloric Cl +7
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A car battery contains $\text{H}2\text{SO}4$, $\text{HNO}3$ is used in laboratories, and $\text{H}2\text{CO}3$ forms in an open soft drink. All three are oxoacids. a)…

A car battery contains $\text{H}_2\text{SO}_4$, $\text{HNO}_3$ is used in laboratories, and $\text{H}_2\text{CO}_3$ forms in an open soft drink. All three are oxoacids.

  1. a) Name the three acids using traditional nomenclature.
  2. b) State which non-metallic element gives its name to each of them.
  3. c) Indicate which two elements always appear in the formula of any oxoacid, in addition to the one that gives it its name.
Solve
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Chlorine disinfects swimming pool water and drinking water because it forms oxoacids. Depending on whether it has an oxidation number of $+1$, $+3$, $+5$ or $+7$, it…

Chlorine disinfects swimming pool water and drinking water because it forms oxoacids. Depending on whether it has an oxidation number of $+1$, $+3$, $+5$ or $+7$, it forms the acids $\text{HClO}$, $\text{HClO}_2$, $\text{HClO}_3$ and $\text{HClO}_4$.

  1. a) Name the four acids using traditional nomenclature, which uses the prefixes hypo- and per- and the suffixes -ous and -ic.
  2. b) Assign each acid its corresponding chlorine oxidation number.
  3. c) Write down the systematic name of $\text{HClO}$ and $\text{HClO}_4$ (guideline: prefix + "oxo" + stem of element + "ate" + "of hydrogen").
Solve

Oxysalts and polyatomic ions

Sulfuric acid, with its two hydrogens bonded to oxygens of the SO₄ group, turns into sodium sulfate: the two H are replaced by two Na⁺ ions and the sulfate ion SO₄²⁻ is kept. S O O O O H H H₂SO₄ H → Na 2− S O O O O Na⁺ Na⁺ Na₂SO₄ H replaced by Na: sodium sulfate
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The marble of a worktop is $\text{CaCO}3$, a garden fertilizer lists $\text{KNO}3$ and Chile saltpetre, a natural fertilizer, is $\text{NaNO}3$. All three are oxysalts:…

The marble of a worktop is $\text{CaCO}_3$, a garden fertilizer lists $\text{KNO}_3$ and Chile saltpetre, a natural fertilizer, is $\text{NaNO}_3$. All three are oxysalts: a metal bound to a negative ion containing oxygen.

  1. a) Name the three salts.
  2. b) State which negative ion two of them share and write its formula with its charge.
  3. c) Explain from which oxoacids the carbonate and nitrate ions derive, and what change the ending of the acid's name (-ic) undergoes when converting into an ion (-ate).
Solve
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In a village agricultural cooperative there are sacks of potassium chloride, potassium nitrate, calcium sulphate and sodium sulphate. Given: the ions $\text{K}^+$,…

In a village agricultural cooperative there are sacks of potassium chloride, potassium nitrate, calcium sulphate and sodium sulphate. Given: the ions $\text{K}^+$, $\text{Na}^+$, $\text{Ca}^{2+}$, $\text{Cl}^-$, $\text{NO}_3^-$ and $\text{SO}_4^{2-}$.

  1. a) Write down the formula of each of the four salts, applying the principle that every formula must be electrically neutral.
  2. b) In which of them did you need two positive ions for every negative ion? Justify your answer using the charges.
Solve
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Potassium permanganate, $\text{KMnO}4$, is used in dilute solutions as a skin disinfectant and to purify drinking water. a) Deduce the oxidation number of manganese…

Potassium permanganate, $\text{KMnO}_4$, is used in dilute solutions as a skin disinfectant and to purify drinking water.

  1. a) Deduce the oxidation number of manganese knowing that potassium has $+1$ and oxygen has $-2$, and that the compound is neutral.
  2. b) Name the compound using traditional nomenclature.
  3. c) Following the guideline for oxysalts, name it using Stock nomenclature (prefix + "oxo" + stem + "ate" + oxidation number in Roman numerals + "of" + metal).
Solve
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Many nitrogen fertilisers contain the ammonium ion, $\text{NH}4^+$, combined with the nitrate ion, $\text{NO}3^-$, or with the sulphate ion, $\text{SO}4^{2-}$. a) Write…

Many nitrogen fertilisers contain the ammonium ion, $\text{NH}_4^+$, combined with the nitrate ion, $\text{NO}_3^-$, or with the sulphate ion, $\text{SO}_4^{2-}$.

  1. a) Write down the name of the $\text{NH}_4^+$ ion and deduce the formula of ammonium nitrate.
  2. b) Deduce the formula of ammonium sulphate, taking care with subscripts and the use of brackets.
  3. c) Name the two salts and explain, using the charges, why in one case a single ammonium ion is sufficient while in the other two are required.
Solve

Acid salts, peroxides and hydrates

From carbonic acid H₂CO₃ to sodium hydrogencarbonate NaHCO₃ and sodium carbonate Na₂CO₃: replacing one hydrogen with sodium gives the acid salt, and replacing both gives the normal salt. C O O O H H C O O⁻ O Na⁺ H C O O⁻ O⁻ Na⁺ Na⁺ H → Na H → Na H₂CO₃ NaHCO₃ Na₂CO₃ carbonic acid acid salt: keeps 1 H normal salt: no H
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Bicarbonate taken for heartburn is $\text{NaHCO}3$; its IUPAC name is sodium hydrogencarbonate. The diagram compares the hydrogencarbonate ion with the carbonate ion. a)…

Bicarbonate taken for heartburn is $\text{NaHCO}_3$; its IUPAC name is sodium hydrogencarbonate. The diagram compares the hydrogencarbonate ion with the carbonate ion.

C O O O H −1 HCO₃ C O O O −2 CO₃
  1. a) Write down the name of the negative ion $\text{HCO}_3^-$ and explain what the prefix "hydrogen" before "carbonate" indicates.
  2. b) Write down the formula and name of the oxoacid from which this salt derives.
  3. c) Reason why it is called an acid salt: what does its negative ion retain that a normal salt, such as sodium carbonate, $\text{Na}_2\text{CO}_3$, no longer has?
Solve
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In caves, water rich in calcium ions, $\text{Ca}^{2+}$, and hydrogencarbonate ions, $\text{HCO}3^-$, eventually forms stalactites. a) Deduce the formula of calcium…

In caves, water rich in calcium ions, $\text{Ca}^{2+}$, and hydrogencarbonate ions, $\text{HCO}_3^-$, eventually forms stalactites.

  1. a) Deduce the formula of calcium hydrogencarbonate and write its systematic name.
  2. b) Check that in your formula the positive and negative charges add up to zero.
  3. c) To lower the pH of a swimming pool, sodium hydrogensulphate is used, formed by the ions $\text{Na}^+$ and $\text{HSO}_4^-$: write its formula and explain why it is also considered an acid salt.
Solve
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Hydrogen peroxide in first-aid kits is a solution of $\text{H}2\text{O}2$, hydrogen peroxide. In peroxides, oxygen forms the $\text{O}2^{2-}$ ion, which is different…

Hydrogen peroxide in first-aid kits is a solution of $\text{H}_2\text{O}_2$, hydrogen peroxide. In peroxides, oxygen forms the $\text{O}_2^{2-}$ ion, which is different from the oxide ion, $\text{O}^{2-}$. The diagram compares the two ions.

O −2 oxide ion O O −2 peroxide ion
  1. a) Name $\text{H}_2\text{O}_2$ and explain what makes peroxides distinct from oxides.
  2. b) Deduce the formula of sodium peroxide, knowing that sodium forms the $\text{Na}^+$ ion.
  3. c) Over time, hydrogen peroxide decomposes according to the equation $2\ \text{H}_2\text{O}_2 \rightarrow 2\ \text{H}_2\text{O} + \text{O}_2$: name the three participating substances and classify them into simple or compound substances.
Solve
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A sachet of effervescent health salts contains $\text{NaHCO}3$ mixed with a solid acid; when added to water, it fizzles because $\text{CO}2$ is released. a) Write the…

A sachet of effervescent health salts contains $\text{NaHCO}_3$ mixed with a solid acid; when added to water, it fizzles because $\text{CO}_2$ is released.

  1. a) Write the IUPAC name of $\text{NaHCO}_3$ and the name of the gas released.
  2. b) Explain why $\text{NaHCO}_3$ is an acid salt: which oxoacid it derives from and which hydrogen its negative ion still retains.
  3. c) Write the formula and name of the salt that would be obtained if the second hydrogen of the acid were also replaced by sodium, and reason whether that salt would be an acid salt or a normal salt.
  4. d) Count the oxygen atoms in the acid, the acid salt, and the normal salt, and explain what actually changes when hydrogen is replaced by sodium.
Solve

Working out formulae from charges

In aqueous solution we can mix countless loose cations and anions, but the solid crystals that precipitate out are always perfectly neutral and keep strict numerical relationships between their atoms: how do we know in advance how many ions of each sign must join together to build a stable compound?

This model represents the $\text{Al}^{3+}$ ion: check that its full outer shell matches that of neon, which is the reason aluminium stops at exactly that charge.

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Bleach is a solution of $\text{NaClO}$, sodium hypochlorite, a salt derived from $\text{HClO}$ acid. a) Name $\text{HClO}$ using traditional nomenclature and deduce the…

Bleach is a solution of $\text{NaClO}$, sodium hypochlorite, a salt derived from $\text{HClO}$ acid.

  1. a) Name $\text{HClO}$ using traditional nomenclature and deduce the oxidation number of chlorine in it (hydrogen acts with $+1$ and oxygen with $-2$).
  2. b) Name $\text{NaClO}$ using traditional and systematic nomenclature, taking into account the oxidation number you deduced.
  3. c) The label forbids mixing bleach with ammonia, $\text{NH}_3$, or with limescale removers, which contain $\text{HCl}$: name these two substances (the name "ammonia" is accepted by IUPAC and $\text{HCl}$ is a binary acid) and explain why you think the manufacturer includes this warning.
Solve
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When marking an exam, a teacher finds these formulas written: $\text{CaCl}$, $\text{NaCO}3$, $\text{AlOH}3$, and $\text{Fe}2\text{SO}4$. Data: the ions $\text{Ca}^{2+}$,…

When marking an exam, a teacher finds these formulas written: $\text{CaCl}$, $\text{NaCO}_3$, $\text{AlOH}_3$, and $\text{Fe}_2\text{SO}_4$. Data: the ions $\text{Ca}^{2+}$, $\text{Cl}^-$, $\text{Na}^+$, $\text{CO}_3^{2-}$, $\text{Al}^{3+}$, $\text{OH}^-$, and $\text{SO}_4^{2-}$; iron in the last compound acts with an oxidation number of $+3$.

  1. a) Identify the error in each formula applying electrical neutrality and write the four corrected formulas.
  2. b) Name the four correct compounds (the last one using Stock notation).
  3. c) State in your own words the general rule to be applied when placing subscripts in the formula of an ionic compound.
Solve
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Iron is everywhere: the ochre pigment in cave paintings is an iron oxide, anti-anaemia supplements contain an iron sulphate, and ferruginous waters contain its…

Iron is everywhere: the ochre pigment in cave paintings is an iron oxide, anti-anaemia supplements contain an iron sulphate, and ferruginous waters contain its hydroxides. Iron acts with oxidation numbers $+2$ and $+3$; you have the ions $\text{O}^{2-}$, $\text{OH}^-$, and $\text{SO}_4^{2-}$ available.

  1. a) Write the formulas of iron(II) oxide and iron(III) oxide.
  2. b) Write the formulas of the two corresponding iron hydroxides.
  3. c) Write the formulas of iron(II) sulphate and iron(III) sulphate.
  4. d) Name the six compounds using traditional nomenclature (ferrous/ferric) and explain what criterion this nomenclature follows regarding oxidation numbers.
Solve

Summary

See all the exercises in this section