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Naming chemical compounds

Naming chemical compounds

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Summary

Naming chemical compounds

In a nutshell

Compounds are formed when atoms of different elements undergo a chemical reaction and form chemical bonds. There are five main rules when naming a compound. This lesson will go over these rules, with examples.



Rule 1

If a compound is made up of only two elements, then the compounds name will end in -ide. 


​​Example

Lithium chloride (LiClLiClLiCl​) is composed of only lithium and chlorine atoms.   



Rule 2

The first part of the compounds name must be the element that is furthest to the left in the periodic table. 


​​Example

Potassium iodide (KIKIKI) has potassium at the start of the name since potassium is in Group 111​.



Rule 3

Compounds will end with the suffixes -ite or -ate if there are three or more elements present, and one of those elements is oxygen. 


Examples

Potassium iodate (KIO3KIO_3KIO3​​) is made up of potassium, iodine and oxygen atoms.

The -ite suffix can be found in compounds like sodium sulfite (Na2SO3Na_2SO_3Na2​SO3​) and lithium nitrite (LiNO2LiNO_2LiNO2​).



Rule 4 

In some instances, the name of the compound can contain prefixes which show how many atoms of a given element are present. ​


Prefixes

A prefix is a group of letters added to the start of an element. Prefixes are used to specify how many atoms of a given element are present in a molecule of a compound.


​The table below shows some of the most common prefixes.


Prefix

Number of atoms

Mono-

​111​​

Di-

​222​​

Tri-

​333​​

Tetra-

​444​​

Penta-

​555​​


​Examples

A carbon monoxide molecule (COCOCO​) is composed of one carbon atom and one oxygen atom, therefore it contains the prefix mono-. 


Carbon dioxide (​CO2CO_2CO2​​) is made up of one carbon atom bonded to two oxygen atoms, therefore it contains the prefix di-.


Carbon tetrachloride (​CCl4CCl_4CCl4​​) has four chloride atoms in each molecule.



Rule 5

Acids composed of hydrogen and one other element will have a “hydro-“ prefix and an “-ic’ suffix. 


Example

Hydrochloric acid has the suffix -ic.​


Acids containing oxygen atoms can end with the suffix “-ous” or “-ic”. 


Examples

Phosphoric acid and nitrous acid.

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Reversible changes and separation methods

Unit 1

Reversible changes and separation methods

An introduction to chemical reactions

Unit 2

An introduction to chemical reactions

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Naming chemical compounds

Unit 3

Naming chemical compounds

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FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions

How do you name a compound made of two elements?

When name a compound is made of two elements, the first part of the name must be the element that is furthest to the left in the periodic table. If the compound is made up of only two elements, then the compound name will end in -ide.

Why do certain compounds end in -ate or -ite?

Compounds will end with the suffixes -ite or -ate if there are three ore more elements present, and one of those elements is oxygen. For example, potassium iodate (KIO3).

Why are prefixes used when naming compounds?

The name of the compound can contain prefixes which show how many atoms of a given element are present. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is made up of one carbon atom bonded to two oxygen atoms therefore it contains the prefix di-.

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