"IUPAC Nomenclature: Simple Substances, Monatomic Ions, and Binary Compounds"
The milk of magnesia you take for heartburn, the table salt in your kitchen, and the rust on an old bicycle have names that are no accident: "magnesium oxide," "sodium chloride," "iron(III) oxide." What fixed rules, the same all over the world, let you go from a formula to its name and back?
Simple Substances
An iron nail and the oxygen in a hospital tank have something in common: they are made of atoms of only one kind. How do we name these materials that cannot be broken down into other substances?
Simple substances made of separate atoms are named the same as the element: iron, helium. If they form molecules, a prefix shows how many atoms each molecule has: $\text{O}_2$ is dioxygen (or, simply, oxygen) and $\text{O}_3$ is trioxygen (ozone). The subscript in the formula tells you whether there are molecules ($\text{O}_2$ has two atoms per molecule) or separate atoms ($\text{Fe}$, $\text{He}$).
The iron in a bridge ($\text{Fe}$) and the carbon dioxide we release when breathing ($\text{CO}2$): one of the two is a simple substance and the other is a compound. The…
The iron in a bridge ($\text{Fe}$) and the carbon dioxide we release when breathing ($\text{CO}_2$): one of the two is a simple substance and the other is a compound. The figure shows their particle models.
Which is which? Explain the difference between the two.
Oxygen ($\text{O}2$), nitrogen ($\text{N}2$), iron ($\text{Fe}$) and helium ($\text{He}$) are simple substances. Look at their formulas and state which of them form…
Oxygen ($\text{O}_2$), nitrogen ($\text{N}_2$), iron ($\text{Fe}$) and helium ($\text{He}$) are simple substances. Look at their formulas and state which of them form molecules, which are made up of individual atoms and whether any of them fits neither case.
Monatomic Ions
An atom that gains or loses electrons becomes an ion, and that ion has its own name.
When a sodium atom loses an electron, it becomes $\text{Na}^+$. The figure shows the process. a) Explain what an ion is. b) Does $\text{Na}^+$ have a positive or a…
When a sodium atom loses an electron, it becomes $\text{Na}^+$. The figure shows the process.
- a) Explain what an ion is.
- b) Does $\text{Na}^+$ have a positive or a negative charge?
- c) What is this ion called?
Name these three monatomic ions: $\text{Cl}^-$, $\text{Ca}^{2+}$ and $\text{O}^{2-}$. Hint: positive ions keep the name of the atom (for example, the $\text{Na}^+$ ion…
Name these three monatomic ions: $\text{Cl}^-$, $\text{Ca}^{2+}$ and $\text{O}^{2-}$. Hint: positive ions keep the name of the atom (for example, the $\text{Na}^+$ ion is called sodium ion) and negative ions end in -ide (for example, the $\text{S}^{2-}$ ion is called sulfide ion).
In your bones, calcium is present as $\text{Ca}^{2+}$. a) What does that $2+$ mean? b) How many electrons has the calcium atom lost? c) What is this ion called?
In your bones, calcium is present as $\text{Ca}^{2+}$.
- a) What does that $2+$ mean?
- b) How many electrons has the calcium atom lost?
- c) What is this ion called?
Binary Compounds: Metal and Nonmetal
A binary compound is made of two elements. The most common case joins a metal with a nonmetal, and the nonmetal is named first (with -ide) and then the metal.
When a metal combines with a non-metal, the compound is named by placing the name of the metal first and then the non-metal with the ending -ide. Apply the rule and name…
When a metal combines with a non-metal, the compound is named by placing the name of the metal first and then the non-metal with the ending -ide. Apply the rule and name table salt, $\text{NaCl}$, as well as the compound $\text{CaS}$.
Compounds of oxygen with another element are called oxides and are named "[element] oxide". Milk of magnesia from pharmacies contains $\text{MgO}$: name it. Also name…
Compounds of oxygen with another element are called oxides and are named "[element] oxide". Milk of magnesia from pharmacies contains $\text{MgO}$: name it. Also name the compound $\text{Na}_2\text{O}$.
When hydrogen combines with a metal, the compound is called a hydride. Name these two compounds: $\text{NaH}$ and $\text{CaH}2$.
When hydrogen combines with a metal, the compound is called a hydride. Name these two compounds: $\text{NaH}$ and $\text{CaH}_2$.
Names with Greek Prefixes
There is a second way to name a binary compound: Greek prefixes show how many atoms of each element are in the formula.
Many fire extinguishers are filled with $\text{CO}2$ gas. Naming it with Greek prefixes (mono-, di-, tri-) according to the number of oxygen atoms it has, what is the…
Many fire extinguishers are filled with $\text{CO}_2$ gas. Naming it with Greek prefixes (mono-, di-, tri-) according to the number of oxygen atoms it has, what is the name of this gas?
Using the prefixes mono-, di- and tri-, write the formula for these two substances: carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. What is the difference between the two molecules?
Using the prefixes mono-, di- and tri-, write the formula for these two substances: carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. What is the difference between the two molecules?
The prefixes mono-, di-, tri- indicate how many atoms of each element are in the formula. a) Write the formula of dialuminium trioxide. b) Write the formula of carbon…
The prefixes mono-, di-, tri- indicate how many atoms of each element are in the formula.
- a) Write the formula of dialuminium trioxide.
- b) Write the formula of carbon monoxide.
- c) Dialuminium trioxide is also called, simply, aluminum oxide. Knowing that aluminum only forms the $\text{Al}^{3+}$ ion, reason why in this case the prefixes can be omitted without causing confusion.
Metals with More Than One Ion: Stock Nomenclature
Some metals, like iron, form more than one different ion ($\text{Fe}^{2+}$ or $\text{Fe}^{3+}$). So you have to say which of the two appears in the compound.
The reddish oxide that appears on an old bicycle is $\text{Fe}2\text{O}3$, and in it iron has a valency of $3$. Name it in both ways: using the prefixes mono-, di-, tri-…
The reddish oxide that appears on an old bicycle is $\text{Fe}_2\text{O}_3$, and in it iron has a valency of $3$. Name it in both ways: using the prefixes mono-, di-, tri- and using the valency of iron written in brackets in Roman numerals.
Troilite, a mineral found in many meteorites, has the formula $\text{FeS}$, and in it iron has a valency of $2$. a) Name it using Stock nomenclature (the valency in…
Troilite, a mineral found in many meteorites, has the formula $\text{FeS}$, and in it iron has a valency of $2$.
- a) Name it using Stock nomenclature (the valency in brackets and in Roman numerals).
- b) Also name it using prefixes.
Iron can form two different ions: $\text{Fe}^{2+}$ and $\text{Fe}^{3+}$. a) Write the formula of iron(II) oxide, formed by $\text{Fe}^{2+}$ and $\text{O}^{2-}$. b) Write…
Iron can form two different ions: $\text{Fe}^{2+}$ and $\text{Fe}^{3+}$.
- a) Write the formula of iron(II) oxide, formed by $\text{Fe}^{2+}$ and $\text{O}^{2-}$.
- b) Write the formula of iron(III) oxide.
- c) Name both oxides using prefixes.
Why Compounds Are Neutral
Table salt is made of positive and negative ions, but a salt shaker doesn't shock you when you touch it. How do those ions combine so that the whole has no charge?
In a salt crystal the $\text{Na}^+$ and $\text{Cl}^-$ ions arrange themselves in a lattice, alternating. Each $\text{Na}^+$ contributes $+1$ and each $\text{Cl}^-$ contributes $-1$. For the sum to be zero you need the same number of ions of each type: the formula $\text{NaCl}$ only shows that $1:1$ ratio.
Common salt is made up of $\text{Na}^+$ ions and $\text{Cl}^-$ ions arranged in a lattice. The figure shows a section of that lattice. a) Explain why the same number of…
Common salt is made up of $\text{Na}^+$ ions and $\text{Cl}^-$ ions arranged in a lattice. The figure shows a section of that lattice.
- a) Explain why the same number of ions of each type is needed for the salt to be neutral.
- b) Write the formula of the salt and reason why it cannot be $\text{Na}_2\text{Cl}$.
Aluminum always forms the $\text{Al}^{3+}$ ion and oxygen forms the $\text{O}^{2-}$ ion. a) Work out how many ions of each type are needed for the total charge of…
Aluminum always forms the $\text{Al}^{3+}$ ion and oxygen forms the $\text{O}^{2-}$ ion.
- a) Work out how many ions of each type are needed for the total charge of aluminum oxide to be zero.
- b) Write the formula of aluminum oxide.
In nature, the salts $\text{NaCl}$ and $\text{CaCl}2$ exist, but a $\text{NaCl}2$ salt has never been found. Use the charges of the ions $\text{Na}^+$, $\text{Ca}^{2+}$…
In nature, the salts $\text{NaCl}$ and $\text{CaCl}_2$ exist, but a $\text{NaCl}_2$ salt has never been found. Use the charges of the ions $\text{Na}^+$, $\text{Ca}^{2+}$ and $\text{Cl}^-$ to justify why the formula $\text{NaCl}_2$ is impossible and the other two can exist.
From Ions (and the Periodic Table) to the Formula
To write a formula you need to know the charges. When the name gives them, you just use them. When it doesn't, the periodic table helps with the representative elements: elements in the same group form ions with the same charge.
| Group | Ion it usually forms | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1+$ | $\text{Na}^+$, $\text{K}^+$ |
| 2 | $2+$ | $\text{Mg}^{2+}$, $\text{Ca}^{2+}$ |
| 16 | $2-$ | $\text{O}^{2-}$, $\text{S}^{2-}$ |
| 17 | $1-$ | $\text{F}^-$, $\text{Cl}^-$ |
Why? Elements in a group have the same number of valence electrons, and they lose or gain the ones they need to resemble the nearest noble gas. You will see this in the topic on the Bohr model.
Fluorite, a colourful mineral, is $\text{CaF}2$. a) Name this compound (remember the ending -ide). b) Now in reverse: write the formula of sodium sulfide, which has two…
Fluorite, a colourful mineral, is $\text{CaF}_2$.
- a) Name this compound (remember the ending -ide).
- b) Now in reverse: write the formula of sodium sulfide, which has two sodium atoms for every sulfur atom.
Calcium forms the $\text{Ca}^{2+}$ ion and fluorine forms the $\text{F}^-$ ion. a) Reason how many fluoride ions are needed for each calcium ion for the total charge to…
Calcium forms the $\text{Ca}^{2+}$ ion and fluorine forms the $\text{F}^-$ ion.
- a) Reason how many fluoride ions are needed for each calcium ion for the total charge to be zero.
- b) Write the formula of calcium fluoride.
- c) Also name it using prefixes.
Magnesium is in group $2$ of the periodic table, just like calcium, and chlorine is in group $17$, just like fluorine. a) Predict which ion magnesium will form and which…
Magnesium is in group $2$ of the periodic table, just like calcium, and chlorine is in group $17$, just like fluorine.
- a) Predict which ion magnesium will form and which chlorine will form.
- b) Write the formula of magnesium chloride.
- c) Explain where you obtained the charges you used.
Classify, Correct, and Practice
With everything above, you can classify a substance and name it.
Match each formula to its correct name: a) $\text{Na}2\text{O}$ b) $\text{CO}2$ c) $\text{FeS}$ d) $\text{CaF}2$ 1) iron(II) sulfide 2) carbon dioxide 3) calcium…
Match each formula to its correct name:
- a) $\text{Na}_2\text{O}$
- b) $\text{CO}_2$
- c) $\text{FeS}$
- d) $\text{CaF}_2$
1) iron(II) sulfide
2) carbon dioxide
3) calcium fluoride
4) sodium oxide
Classify each substance as a simple substance, oxide, hydride or binary salt, and write its name: a) $\text{O}2$ b) $\text{Na}2\text{O}$ c) $\text{CaH}2$ d) $\text{FeS}$…
Classify each substance as a simple substance, oxide, hydride or binary salt, and write its name:
- a) $\text{O}_2$
- b) $\text{Na}_2\text{O}$
- c) $\text{CaH}_2$
- d) $\text{FeS}$
- e) $\text{N}_2$
- f) $\text{MgO}$
In her exam, Amina wrote these names. Correct each one and explain the mistake she made: a) $\text{NaCl}$: "sodium chlorine" b) $\text{Fe}2\text{O}3$: "iron(II) oxide"…
In her exam, Amina wrote these names. Correct each one and explain the mistake she made:
- a) $\text{NaCl}$: "sodium chlorine"
- b) $\text{Fe}_2\text{O}_3$: "iron(II) oxide"
- c) $\text{CO}_2$: "carbon monoxide"
In the storeroom of a cleaning products factory there are three jars labelled as $\text{NaF}$, $\text{CaCl}2$ and "zinc oxide". a) Name the compounds $\text{NaF}$ and…
In the storeroom of a cleaning products factory there are three jars labelled as $\text{NaF}$, $\text{CaCl}_2$ and "zinc oxide".
- a) Name the compounds $\text{NaF}$ and $\text{CaCl}_2$.
- b) Write the formula of zinc oxide knowing that zinc forms the $\text{Zn}^{2+}$ ion and oxygen the $\text{O}^{2-}$ ion.
- c) Justify using the charges of the ions why that oxide cannot have the formula $\text{Zn}_2\text{O}$.
Summary
Back to the beginning: milk of magnesia is $\text{MgO}$ (magnesium oxide), table salt is $\text{NaCl}$ (sodium chloride), and rust is $\text{Fe}_2\text{O}_3$ (iron(III) oxide). Each name comes from the rules on this page.