Naming Ionic Compounds

https://www.chemistrylearner.com/naming-ionic-compounds.html

What is an ionic compound

• An ionic compound is a substance formed when a metal and a nonmetal combine

  • Metals lose electrons to become cations

  • Nonmetals gain electrons to become anions

Naming Rules

1. Name the metal first.

   • Use the name as it appears on the periodic table

2. Name the nonmetal next

   • Use the root of the element’s name and add the suffix “-ide”

3. Write the metal name first, followed by the nonmetal

• Note:

  • No prefixes (mono-, di-, etc.) are used with ionic compounds

Try “NaCl”

Na → Sodium

Cl → Chlorine

Chlorine → Chloride

NaCl → Sodium Chloride

Try “MgO”

Mg → Magnesium

O → Oxygen

Oxygen → Oxide

MgO → Magnesium Oxide

Try “CaS”

Ca → Calcium

S → Sulfur

Sulfur → Sulfide

CaS → Calcium Sulfide

Try “Li₂O”

Li → Lithium

O → Oxygen

Oxygen → Oxide

Li₂O → Lithium Oxide

Try “Al₂S₃”

Al → Aluminium

S → Sulfur

Sulfur → Sulfide

Al₂S₃ → Aluminium Sulfide

Try “KBr”

K → Potassium

Br → Bromine

Bromine → Bromide

KBr → Potassium Bromide