2.8: acids

binary vs. nonbinary acids

  • binary acid: a compound in which hydrogen is bonded to a different nonmetal (not oxygen)
  • naming binary acids
    • start with prefix “hydro-”
    • change ending of other element to “-ic”
    • add “acid” to the end
    • eg. HCl = hydrochloric acid
  • nonbinary acid: a compound in which hydrogen is bonded to a polyatomic ion
  • naming nonbinary acids
    • do not add the prefix “hydro-” (that is specific to binary acids)
    • determine the name of the polyatomic anion on the acid; if the anion ends in:
    • “-ate”: change the ending of the anion to “-ic”
    • “-ite”: change the ending of teh anion to “-ous)
    • end the name with “acid”
    • exceptions: phosphorous acid, sulfuric acid

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