8.2: Naming Molecules + Chapter 21: Hydrocarbons

  • Covalent Compound naming

    • First element: write the name with the correct prefix based on subscript (never use mono)

    • Second element: write the name with the correct prefix based on subscript, change the ending to -ide (all prefixes are usable)

    • When there is o-o or a-o, first value is left out

  • Covalent Compound formulas

    • First element: write the symbol and add the subscript based on prefix (no prefix  = no subscript)

    • Second element: write the symbol of the second element and add the subscript based on prefix

    • DO NOT REDUCE THE SUBSCRIPTS

  • Binary acids do not contain oxygen (HX)

    • Starts with the prefix hydro

    • Hydro_ic acid = -ide

  • Oxyacids contain oxygen (HXO)

    • Starts with the root of the anion

    • Never starts with hydro

    • _ous acid = -ite (sprite is delicious)

    • _ic acid = -ate (I ate something icky)

  • Hydrogen ions are added to the anion in order to make a neutral compound


  • Hydrocarbons contain only 2 elements (hydrogen and carbon)

  • Simplest hydrocarbons are called alkanes

  • Mnemonic for the first four prefixes

    • Monkeys - Meth (1)

    • Eat - Eth (2)

    • Peeled - Prop (3)

    • Bananas - But (4)

  • Alkanes formula: CnH2n+2

  • Alkenes formula: CnH2n

  • Alkynes formula: CnH2n-2

  • Alcohol formula: CnH2n+1OH

  • Unsaturated: if bond contains double/triple bonds

  • Saturated: if bond contains only single bonds

  • Straight-chain Hydrocarbons: contains any number of carbon atoms, one after the other, in a chain pattern

  • Cyclic Hydrocarbons: form a ring (draw a polygon with n sides), add prefix cyclo, do not follow alkane formula

  • Cyclic Alkanes

    • Cyclopropane

    • Cyclobutane

    • Cyclopentane

    • Cyclohexane

    • Cycloheptane

  • Aromatic Compounds: contain the benzene ring

    • Typically used to make dyes/moth repellent

  • Alcohol covalent bonding occurs with carbon, not ionic bonding with a metal therefore not basic

  • To name alcohols, drop the -ane, add -anol

  • ACIDS - If the compound starts with H; Use the naming acids rules. 

  • ORGANIC - If the compound starts with C and contains quite a few H’s and perhaps some O’s;  Use the naming organic compounds rules. 

  • IONIC - if the compound starts with a metal or ammonium ion, it is most likely ionic;  Use the naming  ionic compounds rules. 

  • COVALENT - If the compound starts with a nonmetal other than H or C; use the naming binary molecular compounds rules.

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