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