AP Chem Naming Compounds

Ionic Compounds

• keep name of cation (ion that loses valence electrons) this is usually first art of the chemical formula

• Cut off the end of the anion’s name and add -ide unless anion is a polyatomic ion

For cations with multiple charges

• abide to ionic compound naming rules

• Put the charge of the cation in parentheses as a Roman numeral

  • These tend to be transition metals that have multiple charges

Molecular Compounds

• keep first element the same

• Cut off end of second element and add -ide

• Now add the correct prefix to both elements based on subscripts except no mono- for the first element.

Prefixes for molecular compounds

1. Mono

2. Di

3. Tri

4. Tetra

5. Penta

6. Hexa

7. Hepta

8. Octo

9. Nona

10. Deca