Naming Compounds Flowchart

Is there a metal OR
ammonium (NH4+) present? No, it is COVALENT!

Yes, it is IONIC!
Use prefixes:

1) Name of first non-metal

Which one? 2) Name of second non-metal

** “mono” is only used if there is

Ammonium (NH4+) Metal one of the second compound **

Is there a polyatomic ion? Is there a multivalent

metal? No
Yes No Yes
Is there a polyatomic ion?
No
1) Ammonium name first
Is there a polyatomic ion?
1) Ammonium name first
2) Name of non-metal
Yes
2) Name of polyatomic 3) Change ending to
ion “ide” No 1) Metal name first

Yes 2) Non-metal name

second

3) Change ending to
1) Metal name first
“ide”
2) Roman numeral in
brackets

1) Metal name first

3) Non-metal name
1) Metal name first

2) Roman numeral in 4) Change ending to 2) Polyatomic name

brackets
“ide”
3) Polyatomic name