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