Ms.

Smedley Science 10 - Chemistry NAME____________________

Chemistry Ionic and Molecular Compounds Names and Formulas

By the end of this booklet, you should know these key terms:
binary molecular compound ionic bond
formula unit ionic compound reverse cross rule
molecule aqueous multivalent
polyatomic suffix cross rule
metal ion charge non metal
prefix acids covalent bond

Properties of Molecular and Ionic Compounds

Recall that compounds are __PURE____ __SUBSTANCES____that contain more than
one__ELEMENT___. In compounds, elements combine in a __FIXED___ proportion. This means
that the amount of each element present is always the same for a given compound. For
example, in water (H2O) there are always two hydrogen atoms for every one oxygen atom
(Figure 1). This proportion never varies for a given compound. There are two main types of
compounds: _ MOLECULAR ___compounds and __ IONIC __ compounds.

FIGURE 1: Each water molecule contains two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom.

Molecular
Molecular compounds are composed of atoms of at least two __NON-METALS__connected
together by __COVALENT___ bonds that involve the sharing of electrons. The smallest part of a
molecular compound is called a __MOLECULE__ (See molecule of H2O above). All the
compounds we will be using in Science 10 are __BINARY___, which are molecules composed of
only two atoms, of the same or different chemical elements. The prefix bi- is of Greek origin,
meaning "___TWO__".

Ionic
Remember that when a __METAL___ and a __NON-METAL__ react together, they do so by
giving/taking electrons. The metal atom gives electrons to the non-metal atom and they both
become ____IONS__. They are joined by an ionic bond when they combine to form an ionic
compound.

The smallest part of an ionic compound is called a _FORMULA___ ___UNIT____. This is the
smallest possible ratio of ions that still has the properties of the compound. The formula unit is

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always electrically __NEUTRAL__. This is because even though an ionic compound contains
electrically charged particles, the compound itself has no overall electric charge. Figure 2 shows
the ionic compound sodium chloride (NaCl). It has a formula unit with one Na +1 for every one Cl-
1. When we write names and formulas for ionic compounds we are using their formula units.

A B

FIGURE 2: A) Each formula unit of Sodium Chloride contains one sodium ion and one chloride ion. B) These
formula units join together to create the lattice of a salt crystal.

Quick Check Circle true or false for each of the following statements

1. Oxygen gas (O2) is a compound. True False

2. Sodium fluoride (NaF) is a compound. True False
3. Ammonia (NH3) is a molecular compound. True False
4. Magnesium oxide (MgO) is a molecular compound. True False
5. The smallest part of Na2S is a formula unit. True False
6. The smallest part of OF2 is a formula unit. True False
7. PCl5 is composed of ions. True False
8. AlBr3 is composed of ions True False

Quick Review of Ion Charge

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In the space below, draw a Bohr diagram of a Na atom and one of a Cl atom.

On your diagram above, use an arrow to show the electron transfer that will take place. In the
space below, draw the ionic compound that has been formed. Be sure to put the ions within
square brackets. The non-metal steals an e- from the metal and the non-metal becomes a -1
ion. The metal that gave away the electron becomes a +1 ion. Since they are now oppositely
charged ions, they attract (stick together).

In the space below, draw a Bohr diagram of a Mg atom and one of a F atom.

On your diagram above, use an arrow to show the electron transfer that will take place. In the
space below, draw the ionic compound that has been formed. Be sure to put the ions within
square brackets. What do you notice? How can you make sure both Mg and F have full valence
shells?

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Mg will lose 2e and become Mg+2. F will gain 1e and become F-1 -. Therefore, two F ions are
needed to combine with Mg to form a neutral compound. The formula unit is MgF2.

Writing Names and Formulas of Molecular and Ionic Compounds

Naming systems in Chemistry are set by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry
(IUPAC). This body of chemists ensures that names and formulas are useful and
_CONSISTENT__ worldwide. Consider that the formula for table salt, NaCl, is the same for
chemists who speak Chinese, Danish, Punjabi, Swahili, or English.

Some Ionic Compounds

Name Formula
Magnesium Mg3N2
nitride
Iron (III) FeBr3
bromide
Ammonium (NH4)2S
sulphide
Aluminum Al2(SO4)3 Table 1
sulphate

Well start with the names and formulas for ionic compounds. As you have learned so far, all
ionic compounds are composed of _POSITIVE_ ions and __NEGATIVE_ ions. This is reflected in
their names and formulas. Table 1 above gives some examples.

The name of an ionic compound always has two parts. In other words, it is _BINARY___:

Parts of the Formula Example: Mg3N2

The name of the positive ion Magnesium
The name of the negative ion Nitride

Notice that nitrogens name ends with the suffix _____IDE____ in the above compound
(magnesium nitride). How and when you should make this kind of change is discussed below.

The formula of an ionic compound always shows three things:

Parts of the formula Example: Mg3N2

The symbol for the positive ion, but without Mg+2 is shown as Mg.
showing its positive charge
The symbol for the negative ion, but without N-3 is shown as N
showing its negative charge
__SUBSCRIPTS__ that show the smallest whole Ratio: 3 Mg+2 ions to 2 N-3 ions
number ratio of each ion in the formula unit; The subscripts appear as Mg3 and N2. These
note that a subscript of 1 is never shown* must be written close together as Mg3N2.
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Look again at Table 1 above and notice that the Roman numeral III appears in the name Iron
(III) Bromide (pronounced Iron three Bromide). Yet in the name magnesium nitride, no
Roman numeral is used. Notice also that in the ammonium ion NH4+1 and the sulphate ion SO4-2,
several atoms make up one ion, these cases are discussed in the rest of this section

Quick Check Circle true or false for each of the following statements. Remember that
all these compounds are binary (can be divided into only 2 parts).

1. The negative ion in aluminum phosphate True False

is called phosphate.
2. The positive ion in ammonium sulphide is True False
called ammonium.
3. The subscript for Iron (III) in FeBr3 is 1. True False
4. The subscript for the ammonium ion in (NH4)2S2 True False
is 2.
5. The ratio of positive ions to negative ions in True False
aluminum sulphate Al2(SO4)3 is 3:2.

Rules for Writing Names of Simple Ionic Compounds.

Rules Examples
BaF2 K 3P
1. The metal ion is Ba+2 The metal ion is K+1.
NAME THE METAL ION The ions name is given The ions name is
in the periodic table as given in the periodic
barium table as potassium.

2. The non-metal ions is The non-metal ion is

NAME THE NON-METAL
AND CHANGE ENDING
TO IDE
F-1. The elements P-3. The elements
name is fluorine. name is
Changing the name to phosphorous.
end with the suffix - Changing the name
ide gives fluoride. to end with the
The compounds name suffix -ide gives
is barium fluoride. phosphide.
The compounds
name is potassium
phosphide.

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Rules for Writing Formulas of Simple Ionic Compounds

Rules for Names Examples

Magnesium phosphide Aluminum bromide
a) IDENTIFY EACH ION AND Magnesium: Mg+2 Aluminum: Al+3
ITS CHARGE Phosphide: P-3 Bromide: Br-1
(ion of Phosphorus)

b) WRITE THEM NEXT TO Mg+2 P-3 Al+3 Br-1

EACH OTHER WITH THE
METAL FIRST

c) USE THE CROSS RULE. Mg+2 P-3 Al+3 Br-1

CARRY THE NUMBER BUT
NOT THE CHARGE.

d) WRITE THE FORMULA.

OMIT ANY 1 SUBSCRIPT. Mg3P2 AlBr3
SIMPLIFY IF POSSIBLE.

Study Prep 1. Write the formulas of the ionic compounds containing the following ions:

a) Na+1 with F-1 _______________________

b) Mg+2 with Br-1 _______________________
c) Cs+1 with S-2 _______________________
d) Ba+2 with O-2 _______________________
e) Ca+2 with P-3 _______________________

2. Write the formulas of the following binary ionic compounds:

a) potassium chloride _______________________

b) strontium nitride _______________________
c) silver sulphide _______________________
d) zinc selenide _______________________
e) beryllium sulphide _______________________
f) rubidium oxide _______________________

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g) lithium nitride _______________________

h) radium iodide _______________________
i) aluminum phosphide _______________________
j) magnesium sulphide _______________________
k) lithium fluoride _______________________
l) beryllium iodide _______________________
m) magnesium oxide _______________________
n) radium nitride _______________________
o) potassium sulphide _______________________

3. Write the names of the following binary ionic compounds:

a) CsI _______________________
b) Ba3N2 _______________________
c) CdCl2 _______________________
d) AlF3 _______________________
e) Li2O _______________________
f) K2O _______________________
g) Na2O _______________________
h) CaI2 _______________________
i) Sr3P2 _______________________
j) CaO _______________________
k) Cd3N2 _______________________
l) RaBr2 _______________________
m) RbF _______________________
n) AlCl3 _______________________
o) NaBr _______________________

Metals with More Than One Ion Charge = Multivalent

An element that can form more than one stable ion is called a multivalent element. Most
metals in the _MIDDLE__ of the periodic table are multivalent. Their ion charges are listed in
the periodic table, with the most common one listed ____FIRST__. For example, iron can have
either a +2 or a +3 ion, but the +3 ion is the most common. The symbols and names of the iron
ions are:

Fe+2 Iron(II)
Fe+3 Iron(III)

Notice that the _ROMAN____ __NUMERAL___in the ions name corresponds to the charge on
the ion. A list of Roman numerals is given in Table 2.
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Table 2 List of Roman Numerals

Table 3 gives some examples of the names of binary ionic compounds containing a multivalent
metal ion.

Name Formula
Iron(III) iodide FeI3
Iron(II) iodide FeI2
Manganese(IV) sulphide MnS2
Copper(I) nitride Cu3N
Table 3 - Compounds with Multivalent Ions

Rules for Writing Names of Multivalent Ionic Compounds.

As you can see above, neither ion charges nor Roman numerals appear in _FORMULAS__.
However, a Roman numeral must appear in the __NAME____ of a compound containing a
multivalent metal ion. It has to be included so that the reader will ___KNOW___ which charge
the metal ion has. You will likely have to use the __REVERSE___ Cross Rule on the formula to
determine the correct ion charge for a multivalent metal. See below for this process.

Steps Examples
Cu3N PtS2
1. Identify the metal in the compound. Copper (Cu) Platinum (Pt)
2. Verify that it has more than one ion Cu+1 and Cu+2 Pt+2 and Pt+4
charge by checking the periodic
table.
3. Note the charge of the negative ion Charge on nitride (N-3): Charge on sulphide (S-2):
from the periodic table. -3 -2

4. Using the formula, use the Reverse

Cross Rule.

Cu3N PtS2
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5. Write the name of the compound Copper(I) nitride Platinum(IV) sulphide

Rules for Writing Formulas of Multivalent Ionic Compounds.

Steps Examples
Chromium(III) Oxide Tin(IV) sulphide
1. Identify each ion and its charge Chromium (III): Cr +3 Tin (IV): Sn+4
Oxide: O-2 Sulphide: S-2
2. Use the Cross Rule Cr +3 O -2 Sn+4 S-2

3. Use subscripts to write the

formula. If there is only one ion
needed remember that a 1 is
never written.
4. Simplify if possible.

Study Prep 1. Write the names and formulas of the ionic compounds containing the
following ions:

a) Cu+1 with S-2 _______________________

b) +2
Cu with S -2 _______________________
c) +2
Cr with F -1 _______________________
d) Cr+3 with F-1 _______________________
e) +2
Fe with N -3 _______________________
f) Iron(III) ion with bromide ion _______________________
g) Lead(IV) ion with iodide ion _______________________
h) Lead(II) ion with iodide ion _______________________
i) Cobalt(III) ion with phosphide ion _______________________
j) Platinum(IV) ion with Selenide ion _______________________

2. Write the names of the following binary ionic compounds:

a) FeCl2 _______________________
b) FeCl3 _______________________
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c) Cu2O _______________________
d) CuO _______________________
e) PbS _______________________
f) PbS2 _______________________
g) MnBr2 _______________________
h) MnBr3 _______________________
i) Ti3N4 _______________________
j) TiP _______________________
k) SnF2 _______________________
l) TiS2 _______________________
m) Co3N2 _______________________
n) PtI2 _______________________
o) Cu3P _______________________

3. Write the formulas of the following binary ionic compounds:

a) Iron(II) Iodide _______________________

b) Chromium(III) Chloride _______________________
c) Copper(II) Bromide _______________________
d) Mercury(II) Oxide _______________________
e) Tin(IV) Nitride _______________________
f) Tin(II) Nitride _______________________
g) Titanium(III) Phosphide _______________________
h) Gold(III) Sulphide _______________________
i) Manganese(IV) Iodide _______________________
j) Mercury(II) Selenide _______________________
k) Gold(I) Iodide _______________________
l) Titanium(IV) Nitride _______________________
m) Manganese(IV) Oxide _______________________
n) Cobalt(II) Chloride _______________________
o) Chromium(III) Bromide _______________________

Polyatomic Ions
Some ions are made up of several atoms joined together by sharing electrons, just like a
molecule. The difference is that this combination of atoms has an __ELECTRIC__
_____CHARGE___. It can have either a positive or a negative charge. A polyatomic ion is a
____GROUP___ of atoms that are covalently bonded and have an overall electric charge (poly
means many). If things get confusing, just remember that all the compounds we are using in
Science 10 are binary.

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In the compound NaOH, for example, the sodium has a charge of +1. The oxygen and hydrogen
together form the polyatomic ion hydroxide (OH-1), which has a charge of -1. Another example
of a polyatomic ion is the phosphate ion (PO4-3). It is made up of one phosphorus atom and four
oxygen atoms joined together. They behave like a __SINGLE___ ___UNIT_ with a charge of -3.

You do not need to memorize the polyatomic groups as you will be provided with a list of them
for tests/quizzes. Table 4 gives some examples of common polyatomic ions.

Table 4 There are a few points worth noting about the ions in Table 4:

Common Polyatomic Ions There are many more negative ions than positive ions.
The most common positive polyatomic ion is _AMMOMIUM___ (NH4+1)
Ion name Ion Some polyatomic ions have two names. The hydrogen carbonate ion
Formula
Positive Ions (HCO3-1) can also be identified by its older name, _BICARBONATE_.
Ammonium NH4+1 A model of the ethanoate or acetate ion is shown in Figure 3. The ions
Mercury(I) Hg2+2 formula (CH3COO-1) may look odd at first glance. Why not write it as
Negative Ions C2H3O2-1? CH3 means that three hydrogen atoms are connected to one
Hydrogen HCO3-1
carbon atom. COO means that two oxygen atoms are connected to the
carbonate or
bicarbonate second carbon atom in a special way. The two carbon atoms are
Hydroxide OH-1 connected to each other.
Ethanoate or CH3COO-1
acetate
Carbonate CO3-2
Chromate CrO4-2
Cyanide CN-1
Dichromate Cr2O7-2

Sulphate SO4-2
FIGURE 3 Acetate Ion
Sulphite SO3-2
Phosphate PO4-3 Chromium metal can also be involved in polyatomic ions. The two ions
_CHROMATE__ (CrO4-2) and _DICHROMATE_ (Cr2O7-2) have similar names
and are easily mixed up.
Many negatively charged polyatomic ions end with the suffixes
____ATE___ or ____ITE__ and are used to note how many oxygen
atoms are present. Generally, -ate means ___MORE___ oxygen atoms
and ite means fewer oxygen atoms. For example, sulphate (SO4-2) and
sulphite (SO3-2) differ by one oxygen atom. It is not necessary to
memorize these names, but it is important to be able to keep them
straight by referring to the table of ions. We will also be using these
suffixes to help us name acids.

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Rules for Writing Names of Compounds with Polyatomic Ions.

Naming a compound that contains a polyatomic ion is as simple as looking up the ions formula
on the ion chart and reading across to find its name. The only difficulty might be recognizing the
polyatomic ion within a chemical formula. For example, in NH4NO3 or KCN, there are no
brackets to help identify the two ions in each compound. To find where the formula splits
between positive and negative ion, look for either the NH4+1 ion or the metal ion (K+1 in this
case). Everything after this is the negative ion.

Formula Name Hints for Writing Names

Mg(OH)2 Magnesium Hydroxide Magnesium has only one ion charge
so no Roman numerals are needed.
Brackets indicate a polyatomic ion. A
list of polyatomic groups lists OH-1 as
hydroxide.
Cu3PO4 Copper(I) Phosphate After the metal ion, all remaining
atoms belong to one ion. Look up PO4
in a list of polyatomic groups and find
both its name (phosphate) and its
charge (-3). The periodic table shows
that the copper ion could be Cu+1 or
Cu+2. Use the Reverse Cross Rule to
see that 3 copper ions combine with 1
phosphate ion (PO4-3), the ion charge
on the copper must be +1. The
copper ion is called copper(I)
(NH4)2SO3 Ammonium sulphite The brackets indicate where to find
the polyatomic ion: in this case, it is
NH4+1. Look at a list of polyatomic
groups to find its name: ammonium
The remaining atoms in the formula
make up the negative ion: SO3-2. Its
name is sulphite.
NH4HCO3 Ammonium hydrogen Although there are no brackets, the
carbonate compound must break into two parts
only. Note that NH4+1 is ammonium.
The remaining atoms make up the
negative ion: HCO-1. Its name is
hydrogen carbonate (or bicarbonate).

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Rules for Writing Formulas of Compounds with Polyatomic Ions.

Steps Examples
Iron(III) Hydroxide Ammonium Carbonate
1. Identify each ion and its charge. Iron(III): Fe+3 Ammonium: NH4+1
Hydroxide: OH-1 Carbonate: CO3-2

2. Do the Cross Rule CAREFULLY. Fe+3 OH-1 NH4+1 CO3-2

Remember you cross the number
only, not the charge.

3. Use subscripts and brackets to

write the formula. Omit brackets if Fe(OH)3 (NH4)2CO3
only one ion is needed.

Study Prep 1. Write the name of each compound below:

*You need a periodic a) Li2CO3 _______________________

table and list of b) Mg(HCO3)2 _______________________
polyatomic groups * c) Na2SO4 _______________________
d) K2SO3 _______________________
e) Ba(OH)2 _______________________
f) (NH4)3PO4 _______________________
g) Fe(NO3)2 _______________________
h) Mg(OH)2 _______________________
i) Cu3PO4 _______________________
j) Ag2CrO4 _______________________
k) Rb2Cr2O7 _______________________
l) NH4F _______________________

2. Write the formula for each compound below:

a) Sodium Carbonate _______________________

b) Barium Hydrogen carbonate _______________________
c) Strontium Phosphate _______________________
d) Calcium Hydroxide _______________________
e) Ammonium Sulphate _______________________
f) Ammonium Sulphite _______________________
g) Copper(II) Nitrate _______________________
h) Potassium Dichromate _______________________
i) Magnesium Sulphite _______________________
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j) Tin(IV) Phosphate _______________________

k) Aluminum Hydroxide _______________________
l) Beryllium Carbonate _______________________

Simple, Multivalent and Polyatomic Ionic Compounds - Review Questions

1. a) Whate does IUPAC stand for? 4. Name the following ionic compounds:

International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry a) AlCl3 ________________

b) CaS ________________
c) Na3N ________________
d) K2SO4 ________________
e) Li2O ________________
f) FeI3 ________________
b) Why do scientists need a common g) Pb(NO3)4 ________________
system of naming chemical compounds? h) Cu3PO4 ________________
i) NH4NO2 ________________
Less confusing! Keeps chemical names consistent. j) NaCH3COO ________________

5. Write the formulas of the following ionic

compounds:

k) Sodium oxide ___________

2. List the Roman numerals corresponding to
the numbers from 1 to 8.
I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII
l) Sodium hydroxide ___________
m) Ammonium sulphite ___________
n) Aluminum acetate ___________
o) Chromium(III) chloride __________
p) Tin(IV) dichromate ___________

3. Write the symbols or formulas for the following

ions: 6. Suppose three new metallic elements have
been discovered:
a) Sodium ion ________________ Julium, Ju
b) Calcium ion ________________ Kelvinium, Kv
c) Silver ion ________________ Ethanium, En
d) Copper(II) ion ________________ Determine the ion charge of each of the
following compounds:
e) Lead(IV) ion ________________
f) Chloride ion ________________ a) JuCl2 ___________
g) Ethanoate (or acetate) ion ________________ JuCl3 ___________
h) Ammonium ion ________________ b) Kv3N2 ___________
KvS ___________
c) En2O3 ___________
d) EnSe2 ___________
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Names and Formulas of Binary Molecular Compounds

In a molecular compound, the chemical formula shows the precise __NUMBER OF___
___ATOMS___of each element present in the molecule (smallest part of a molecular
compound). For example, the hydrogen peroxide molecule H2O2 has two hydrogen atoms and
two oxygen atoms, for a total of four atoms in each molecule (Figure 4). The formula is not
reduced to HO, as it would be for an ion compound. This is because the subscripts in a
molecular compound are ___NOT___ used to show the ratio of one kind of atom to another.
Instead they simply ____COUNT__ the number of atoms of each element in the molecule.

Binary molecular compounds contain two _NON-METAL___ elements joined together with
__COVALENT__ bonds. Atoms in these molecules do not connect by forming ions, but instead
by remaining electrically neutral and _SHARING_ electrons. A binary molecular compound can
have many atoms, such as in PF5, or only two, such as in IBr.

FIGURE 4 Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2)

The name of a binary molecular compound indicates the numbers of

TABLE 5
Prefixes Used in Naming Binary atoms of each element that appear in the formula. It does this by using
Molecular Compounds. the _PREFIXES_ listed in Table 5. First we will learn how to use these
Prefix Number prefixes for naming binary molecular compounds that do not contain
Mono 1
__HYDROGEN_. We will learn how to name compounds containing
Di 2
Tri 3 hydrogen after the next Study Prep.
Tetra 4
Rules for Writing Names of Binary Molecular Compounds
Penta 5
Hexa 6
Hepta 7 Rules for Writing Names Example
Octa 8 N 2O3 CO
Nona 9 1. Name the first element in the The first element is The first element is C:
formula. N: nitrogen. carbon.
Deca 10
2. Name the second element, The second The second element is
making sure the element element is O: O: oxygen. It becomes
name ends with the suffix - oxygen. It becomes oxide
ide oxide
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3. Add a prefix to each elements
name to indicate the number
of atoms of each element in
the compound.
Exceptions to rule 3:
If the first element has
only one atom, do not add
a prefix
The prefix mono is
shortened to mon if it is
placed before oxide
monoxide is easier to
say than monooxide
There are two (di-) Do not use a prefix
nitrogen atoms and when there is only one
three (tri-) oxygen atom of the first
atoms. element.
The compounds The last o is dropped
name is dinitrogen from the prefix to make
trioxide monoxide.
The compounds name
is carbon monoxide.

Table 6 gives examples of how names of molecular compounds can be written from their
formulas.

TABLE 6 Hints for Writing Names of Molecular Compounds

Formula Name Hints for Writing Names

CS2 Carbon disulphide Do not use a prefix when there is
only one atom of the first element.
O2F2 Dioxygen difluroide Do not reduce the name to oxygen
fluoride.
CCl4 Carbon tetrachloride Do not use a prefix when there is
only one atom of the first element
P4O10 Tetraphosphorus decaoxide Use rules 1 to 3

Study Prep 1. Write the name of the following compounds:

a) CO2 _______________________
b) N 2O _______________________
c) PCl3 _______________________
d) PBr5 _______________________
e) SO2 _______________________
f) N2O4 _______________________
g) P4S10 _______________________
h) S2F10 _______________________
i) NI3 _______________________
j) NO _______________________

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2. Write the formulas of the following compounds:

a) Nitrogen Tribromide _______________________

b) Sulphur Hexafluoride _______________________
c) Dinitrogen Tetrasulphide _______________________
d) Oxygen Difluoride _______________________
e) Carbon Tetraiodide _______________________
f) Sulphur Trioxide _______________________
g) Phosphorus Pentachloride _______________________
h) Diiodine Hexachloride _______________________
i) Dichlorine Monoxide _______________________
j) Xenon Hexafluoride _______________________
k) Aluminum Hydroxide _______________________
l) Beryllium Carbonate _______________________

Molecular Compounds Containing Hydrogen

Many compounds containing hydrogen have all have been given _NON-STANDARD_ names,
which you must look up or memorize. This occurred because many hydrogen compounds
already had names from ancient times, and many hydrogen compounds have unique
properties. We already know how to name some hydrogen containing compounds such as HCl
(Hydrogen chloride). However, when HCl is dissolved in water, it is commonly referred to by the
name of __HYDROCHLORIC_ __ACID___. Acids are a group of related compounds that have
many properties. For example, they _CORRODE__ many kinds of metal, including iron. (You will
learn more about acids later in the Chemistry Unit)

Compounds that have been dissolved in water are said to be __AQUEOUS_ from the Latin word
for water, ___AQUA__. This is indicated in the formula by adding the subscript (aq) to the
formula. For example, aqueous hydrogen chloride or hydrochloric acid can be shown as HCl (aq).
The names and formulas of some common acids are:

HF(aq) Hydrofluoric Acid

HCl(aq) Hydrochloric Acid
HBr(aq) Hydrobromic Acid
HI(aq) Hydroiodic Acid

Acids are named using prefixes and suffixes that explain how many oxygen atoms are present in
the compound formula. See Table 7 and Table 8 below for tips on how acids are named.

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TABLE 7 - Flow Chart for Naming Acids

TABLE 8 Prefixes and Suffixes Used to Name Acids

Review Questions

1. Write the formulas for the following molecular compounds:

a) Dinitrogen tetraoxide ___________
b) Phosphorus pentachloride ___________
c) Nitrogen triiodide ___________
d) Carbon monoxide ___________
e) Tetraphosphorus decaoxide ___________
f) Carbon disulphide ___________
g) Xenon trioxide ___________
h) Water ___________
i) Sulphurous Acid ___________

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2. Name the following molecular compounds:

a) CBr4 _________________
b) NO_________________
c) OF2 _________________
d) IBr _________________
e) SeCl2 _________________
f) PCl3 _________________
g) N2O3 _________________
h) SCl2 _________________
i) H3PO4 (aq) ________________

The formulas of binary ionic and molecular compounds can look very similar. This makes
naming them difficult of you are not sure which naming rules to use. Here are some tips.

1. Always examine the formula to see whether a metal or the

ammonium ion (NH4+1) is present. If either of them is, then the
compound is __IONIC__. Otherwise it is _MOLECULAR__.
2. If the compound is molecular and binary but does not contain
hydrogen, use the __PREFIX__ naming system. For example, N2F4
contains no metal or ammonium ion, so it is molecular. Its name is
dinitrogen tetrafluoride.
3. If the compound is molecular and contains hydrogen, use the prefix
and suffix system for naming acids. Remember that the prefix and
suffix used relates to how many __OXYGEN__ atoms are present in
the formula.
4. If the compound is ionic the positive ion is either a metal ion or the
ammonium ion (NH4+1)
5. If the positive ion is a metal, the periodic table will show whether it
has one or more than one common ion charge.
A metal ion that has only one common ion charge simply takes
the name of the element. For example, the name of Ca+2 is the
calcium ion.
A metal ion that has more than one common ion charge must
contain a _ROMAN__ numeral in its name to denote which
form of the ion is present.
6. If the ionic compound is binary, meaning that it is composed of only
two elements, then the second element ends with the suffix -ide.
For example, CaCl2 is called calcium chloride, and FeCl2 is called iron(II)
chloride.

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Ms.Smedley Science 10 - Chemistry NAME____________________

7. If the ionic compound contains a polyatomic ion, look up the formula

of the polyatomic ion from the list provided to find its name. Use that
name in the compounds name. For example:
(NH4)2S is ammonium Sulphide
Na2SO4 is sodium sulphate
(NH4)2SO4 is ammonium sulphate

Study Prep 1. Identify each of the following compounds as either ionic (I) or molecular (M):

a) SCl2 _______________________
b) SnCl2 _______________________
c) N2O3 _______________________
d) KNO3 _______________________
e) (NH4)2S _______________________
f) OF2 _______________________
g) FeF2 _______________________
h) NH3 _______________________

Name and Formula - Review Questions

1. Classify each of the following compounds as molecular (M) or ionic (I). Then write the
name or formula:
M or I Name or Formula
a) (NH4)S ___________ ______________________________
b) NH3 ___________ ______________________________
c) Fe(NO3)3 ___________ ______________________________
d) (NH4)3PO4 ___________ ______________________________
e) Fe(CN)3 ___________ ______________________________
f) NH4CH3COO ___________ ______________________________
g) Sulphur Hexafluoride ___________ ______________________________
h) Zinc sulphate ___________ ______________________________

2. The compounds in each group below have similar-looking formulas. However, they
may have different names. Some in each group are ionic, while others are molecular.
Classify and name each compound.
M or I Name
a) MnO2 ___________ ______________________________
NO2 ___________ ______________________________
b) CoCl2 ___________ ______________________________
CdCl2 ___________ ______________________________

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Ms.Smedley Science 10 - Chemistry NAME____________________

SCl2 ___________ ______________________________

c) SO3 ___________ ______________________________
K2SO3 ___________ ______________________________
K2SO4 ___________ ______________________________
SO2 ___________ ______________________________
d) K2Cr2O7 ___________ ______________________________
K2CrO4 ___________ ______________________________
Cr2O3 ___________ ______________________________
N2O3 ___________ ______________________________
e) OCl3 ___________ ______________________________
BeCl2 ___________ ______________________________
f) CO2 ___________ ______________________________
Na2CO3 ___________ ______________________________
PbO2 ___________ ______________________________

3. Write formulas/names for the following acids:

a) Nitric acid
b) Chloric acid
c) Acetic acid
d) Hydrobromic acid
e) Sulfurous acid
f) Chlorous acid
g) Hydrochloric acid
h) Phosphoric acid
i) Permanganic acid

j) HF
k) H PO
3 3

l) HCN
m) HClO 3

n) H CO
2 3

o) H SO
2 3

p) HClO 2

q) HNO 3

r) HBr

Now, Cheat Sheet time!!

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