Nomenclature of Inorganic Compounds

A set of QUESTION_AND_ANSWER flashcards covering ions, oxidation numbers, ionic and molecular compound naming, acids, oxoanions, and common inorganic names.

What is the difference between a monatomic ion and a polyatomic ion?

A monatomic ion contains a single atom; a polyatomic ion contains two or more bonded atoms and acts as a single unit with a net charge.

What is the oxidation number of free elements in their uncombined state?

Zero.

In a monatomic ion, how is the oxidation number determined?

It equals the ion's charge.

What is the usual oxidation number of oxygen in most compounds?

−2.

What is the oxidation number of hydrogen in most compounds, and what is the exception?

Usually +1; exception: when bonded to metals in binary compounds, it is −1.

What are the typical charges for Group 1A and Group 2A metals, and for fluorine?

Group 1A metals: +1; Group 2A metals: +2; fluorine: −1.

What is the rule about the sum of oxidation numbers in a molecule or ion?

The sum equals the overall charge of the molecule or ion.

Do oxidation numbers always have to be integers?

No; they can be non-integers in some cases.

How do you determine the formula of an ionic compound from the charges of its ions?

Balance the total positive and negative charges; e.g., Ca2+ and Cl− give CaCl2.

What suffix is added to the root of the second element when naming binary ionic compounds?

-ide.

How do you indicate the charge of a transition-metal cation in the compound's name?

With a Roman numeral in parentheses after the metal name.

What is the formula for potassium oxide?

K2O.

What is the name of NaCl?

Sodium chloride.

Name BaCl2.

Barium chloride.

Name Mg(OH)2.

Magnesium hydroxide.

What is the formula for magnesium nitride?

Mg3N2.

Name the compound CuNO3.

Copper(I) nitrate.

Name KH2PO4.

Potassium dihydrogen phosphate.

Name NH4ClO3.

Ammonium chlorate.

Write the formula for mercury(I) nitrite.

Hg2(NO2)2.

Write the formula for cesium sulfide.

Cs2S.

Write the formula for calcium phosphate.

Ca3(PO4)2.

What is the common name for H2O and its systematic name?

Water; systematic name is dihydrogen monoxide.

What is the common name for NH3?

Ammonia.

What is the common name for CO2?

Dry ice (solid carbon dioxide).

What is the common name for NaHCO3?

Baking soda.

Which Greek prefix means 'one' and is usually omitted for the first element in molecular compound naming?

mono- (usually omitted for the first element).

In molecular compound naming, which element is named first?

The element farthest to the left in a period and closest to the bottom of a group (the least electronegative among the two).

What is the molecular name for SO2?

Sulfur dioxide.

What is the molecular name for NH3?

Ammonia.

What is the prefix for the number four in Greek prefixes?

tetra-.

What is the acid name for HF?

Hydrofluoric acid.

What is the acid name for HClO4?

Perchloric acid.

In oxoacid naming, removing all H+ from an '-ic' acid leaves an anion ending in what?

-ate.

In oxoanion naming, removing all H+ from an '-ous' acid leaves an anion ending in what?

-ite.

What is the prefix meaning for three in Greek prefixes?

tri-.

What is the common and systematic name for H2O in Table 2.7?

Water (dihydrogen monoxide).